Work starts on Sandwell sixth-form centre at The Public building
Building work has begun on a new sixth-form centre at the former Public in West Bromwich, as college bosses revealed they had received nearly 1,000 applicants for places.
Central Sixth is being created inside a remodelled version of the New Street gallery and will open in September this year.
Bosses say many of the bespoke elements of the building, which was designed by famous architect Will Alsop, will be retained as unique breakout areas for learning.
They say the building will also include a new lecture theatre. Interserve is the contractor working on the project, which also completed the £77 million Spon Lane campus for the college.
The development is being touted as a significant investment in the borough's educational offer.
A business support centre will also be based in the campus to help start-up companies.
Council leader Councillor Darren Cooper said today: "This project secures a long-term, financially viable future for The Public building that invests in high-quality education for generations of our young people and supports the arts and business."
He added: "Located in the heart of the town, not only will it provide inspirational learning facilities for up to 800 students, it will also mean that more places are available in the existing Sandwell College building."
Central Sixth will eventually have spaces for up to 800 students. Contractor Interserve says it has invited local firms to tender to join its supply chain for the project.
The £72m arts centre closed its doors for good on November 16. In the fortnight that followed, bosses cleared out the centre to prepare for its conversion into the sixth form centre.
The council announced last year that it would end its annual £1.5m subsidy for the site.
Building work on The Public started in 1995 and after a number of delays the centre finally opened in 2008.
