Campus Development 2009-2012
The physical resources of the UCD campus have been transformed over the past decade to meet the changing needs of students, staff and the wider community. The University is now embarking on the next phase of capital development a €220 million 3-4 year programme that will further enhance academic, recreational and residential infrastructure. Advanced planning (in line with the Gateway Campus Master Plan) and funding campaigns have positioned UCD to take full advantage of current conditions to invest in the building stock.
Funding
UCD has adopted a wide array of capital funding initiatives to support the current exciting phase of development at Belfield. This includes approximately €126 million raised through philanthropy, third party commercial transactions and a student levy, along with the acquisition of almost €94 million in exchequer funding.
It is worth noting that a financial analysis by Grant Thornton indicates that the building programme will be almost cost neutral for the State as the construction activity will result in fiscal flows to the exchequer of approximately €91 million through VAT receipts, payroll taxes, and savings on social welfare due to increased employment in the construction industry. It is projected that the current projects will generate 500-600 construction-related jobs per annum.
Projects
As with every previous building programme there will be some short-term noise and disruption. Every effort will be made to minimise impact on staff and student activities. Updates on specific projects and related issues will be available through the Campus Development Website http://www.ucd.ie/campusdevelopment/. For urgent enquiries please contact the Maintenance Help Desk ext: 1111 or email maintenance@ucd.ie.
The projects that will be in construction by 2010 are highlighted below. Planning work is also ongoing for the Gateway Complex.
*In addition, it is anticipated that the IDA funded NIBRT research and training building (8) will proceed to construction in September 09.
UCD Student Learning, Leisure and Sports Complex
Enabling works are well advanced for the new UCD Student Learning, Leisure and Sports Complex located between the Student Centre and Sports Centre buildings. This state-of-the-art complex will include facilities for debating, drama, societies, cinema, media, student health and leisure amenities in addition to a new 50m swimming pool and gym. Anticipated completion is early 2011.
UCD Science Centre
The goal of the UCD Science Centre redevelopment is to support the transformation of teaching, training, research and innovation activities in science and engineering. Since 2008, UCD has achieved the phased delivery of almost 4,000sq.m of refurbished research accommodation. The next stage, the Science Centre South building, which is funded from both PRTLI4 and university resources, is due for completion by late 2010. In July 2009 the Department of Education and Science and the Higher Education Authority committed €65m capital investment to develop facilities for undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes. Design development and consultation is underway with the intention of completion for 'Dublin City of Science 2012'.
UCD Sutherland School of Law
Funded by major philanthropic gifts, the National Development Plan and university resources, the UCD Sutherland School of Law building will be situated adjacent to the UCD Quinn School of Business as an initial part of the Gateway Beltwalk. UCD recently appointed a design team and the project is now in the design development stage for completion in late 2011.
Roebuck Residences
The next stage of Roebuck Residences (Phase 2) will provide an additional 134 bed spaces and enhance the existing Roebuck Hall student village, fostering an animated and diverse campus community. The new accommodation is projected to be complete in late 2010, bringing the total number of bed spaces on the Belfield Campus to in excess of 2,365.
UCD Oakmount Crèche
Building works for the expansion of the UCD Oakmount Crèche are almost complete. Increasing the capacity from 60 to over 100 children by late 2009, this project will generate additional purpose-built facilities that will foster a process of exploration within an educational, play-based atmosphere.
Charles Institute
The City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital Charity has committed €12 million towards the establishment of the new Charles Institute located between the UCD Conway Institute and the UCD Health Sciences Centre. The Charles Institute will be a unique national resource for training of dermatology health professionals, dermatology research and further development of the Irish biopharmaceutical industry. The new building will also host the SFI-funded Centre for Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) Systems Biology Ireland. Systems Biology is a rapidly emerging area that integrates biology, systems engineering, computational science and mathematics and is a key support for state-of-the-art biopharmaceutical and bioprocessing R&D. Enabling works are now in progress and overall completion is scheduled for late 2010.
Rosemount
The transfer of plant science and horticulture activities from Thornfield to Rosemount is projected to be complete by early 2010. The development will include new technology platforms to support the Programme for Experimental Atmospheres and Climate, consisting of walk-in plant growth rooms capable of simulating global climatic and atmospheric conditions from the past, present or future.
National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training
An innovative collaboration between University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University and Institute of Technology Sligo, the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) is being developed in conjunction with the IDA. This will provide new state-of-the-art research and training facilities for Ireland's rapidly expanding bioprocessing industry.
