Building work starts on Centre for Student Life

Construction work is starting on a landmark Cardiff University building for students.

The Centre for Student Life, a partnership with the Students’ Union, will transform the way the University supports student life, including mental health and wellbeing.

This remarkable new home for student support services, alongside the Students’ Union, will offer consultation rooms, a 550-seat auditorium, additional social study spaces and quiet contemplation areas.

It will make services more inclusive, accessible and convenient alongside enhanced online resources and extended opening hours.

Cabinet Secretary for Education Kirsty Williams will mark the start of building work at a ceremony on Wednesday 26 September alongside Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan, Cardiff University Students’ Union President Fadhila Al Dhahouri and construction company BAM.

Ms Williams said: “I’m very grateful to have been invited to attend today’s ground-breaking ceremony, marking the start of construction work for the new centre.

“The University’s investment to develop this centre will ensure that students are able to receive the best possible experience whilst studying in Cardiff, transforming support services in areas such as mental health and wellbeing, and enhancing what was already a top class learning environment for students.

Professor Riordan said: “We are committed to delivering an exceptional experience to all our students. We offer important services to our students including mental health and wellbeing, study support, money matters, living in Cardiff and preparing for a career after university.

“The Centre for Student Life will enable students to make the most of the opportunity to study at Cardiff University while also supporting them during any challenging moments in their time here.”

Students’ Union President Fadhila Al Dhahouri said: “We are delighted to be involved in such a remarkable project to enhance student life and put wellbeing at the centre of the Cardiff University experience.

“Student Support plays a vital role in university life, and is an important lifeline for students seeking advice, guidance and support on academic and personal issues.

“The Students’ Union is a proud partner in the project and we are working closely with the University to ensure improvements to those essential services are felt by current students, long before the building opens.”

Services will be accessible to students wherever they are based.

And improvements to services are already taking place, allowing students to benefit immediately, before the Centre is open.

The Centre, which is being built by BAM, is due to be finished in the 2020/21 academic year.

Justin Price, Construction Manager for BAM, said: “We’ve been based in Cardiff for over seven decades, so we’re very proud to commence work for Cardiff University. Its reputation is international, and these new facilities will reflect its status.

“As ever, success is driven by the quality of the partnerships and the collaboration we all achieve. Having prepared the ground we’re now very keen to commence main works on site.”

The building was designed by architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios) which has a track record with high-profile public buildings.

The University is carrying out its biggest campus upgrade in a generation - a major investment over 10 years.

A deal to build the next phase of the University’s Innovation Campus was announced earlier this year, while a new home for the School of Journalism, Media and Culture is opening in Cardiff city centre.