Estates Update
W
Deborah Griffin, Bursar
e are now half way through the College’s Estates Strategy 2014-2024 - at least in time! As the original strategy was based on assessment of needs it was good to report to College Council in February that with the building of Morley House, refurbishment of Queen’s Wing and the building of the Griffin Bar and offices, some of the most immediate needs – student accommodation, offices for Fellows, gym and social spaces – have been met. We have also been able to provide a new archive, additional high-tech supervision rooms and a small reception space in Macaulay. Three projects under construction or due to start this year will mean that when complete by mid-2022 we will be an estimated 85% of the way through the strategy. Estates Strategy 2014 Approximate time Requirements Student Accommodation Student Facilities Sport Music Art Faith Archive Space Special Collections Catering Small Reception Study Spaces Finance Office Academic Office Spaces Porters’ Lodge Fellows/Staff Housing JRF Housing
Completed 2015-2018
In Planning 2019-2020
Phase 3 2021-2023
North Wing will provide a new auditorium and guest bedrooms to support the conference business which is critical to our financial sustainability and two large airy music rooms. This is due to complete by April next year (2020). Planning permission has been achieved for the new Dining Hall and we hope to start construction by the end of this year. This is the largest project in the strategy and will provide not only a space for catering for our increased number of students, but also an exemplary working environment in the new kitchens, a large modern servery area and a new Buttery allowing the current JCR to become a dedicated social space for our undergraduates. Both these projects will benefit from Ground Source Heat Pump technology and have been designed with future environmental needs very much to the fore. Since writing the strategy we have been able to take advantage of two opportunities to build first class sports facilities on Long Road which are scheduled to be complete in 2020 and to invest in a new boathouse with City of Cambridge Rowing Club which will be ready this summer. Knowing how long planning takes in the City, once the Dining Hall and sports facilities are under construction we will turn our minds to planning for Phase 3: a Porters’ Lodge with consideration of space for exhibitions and special collections (specifically Children’s Literature) and the reconfiguration of the area around the Great Hall to provide first class facilities for music and drama. July 2019
Missed the deadline? Why not write an article for the next RSMA Newsletter? rsma newsletter september 2019 page 25