Press Releases

Forth Valley College’s Alloa Campus is one step closer to welcoming students in September following the official key hand over. 

The new £21m Alloa Campus is part of Forth Valley College’s Estates Development Plans, which also include a new campus at Stirling.  Brian McQuade, Managing Director – Scotland, Miller Construction presented the key to Forth Valley College Principal Linda McKay, marking the completion of the Alloa Campus.

The new 5,000 sqm campus includes high tech teaching areas and workshops, a gym and bistro.  The campus also boasts quality office and conference space and it is anticipated that these facilities will assist in creating a hub for local community groups and businesses.

Forth Valley College Principal, Linda McKay, said: “This is a milestone in the history of the college and we are delighted to receive the keys for our stunning new campus.  It’s everything we hoped for and more. 

“The new campus will allow us to build on our existing reputation for delivering quality learning and also provide an opportunity to create new and innovative curriculum driven by the needs of our learners and employers.  As an education provider, it’s vital that we continually develop and progress to ensure our courses and training are current and relevant.  These new state-of-the-art facilities will enable us to achieve this and we’re excited about the possibilities ahead.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Miller Construction and the numerous subcontractors and partners who have worked tirelessly on the project.  Their work has been of a consistently high standard throughout the build and we are thrilled with the results.  We also really appreciate their support with our ongoing community benefits initiatives.  We look forward to continuing our work with them on the construction of our new Stirling Campus.”

                          Brian McQuade hands over keys to Forth Valley College Principal, Linda McKay

Brian McQuade, Managing Director – Scotland, Miller Construction, said: “We are delighted to be handing the keys over to the College.  The new campus that has been created offers spectacular views of the Ochil Hills and we are sure that such a stunning backdrop will be a positive and inspiring environment for both staff and learners.

“We have been part of the community in Alloa for 15 months during the build and throughout that time have been able to work with learners and apprentices to give them practical site experience and in some cases, employment through our supply chain.  It is important to Miller Construction, that in addition to delivering this outstanding learning environment fit for 21st century learning that we have played a part in providing a legacy for community members.

“Miller Construction is still on site with the Stirling Campus which will be completed in February of 2012 and we are confident that the staff and students at both the Alloa and Stirling Campus’ will put the facilities to good use and provide the Scottish economy with an excellent calibre of people to sustain growth in our economy.”

Principal McKay and Brian McQuade were joined at the key handover by Gail Fertacz, Associate Principal Curriculum Quality and Learning Services; Tom Gorman, Director of Estates Development and Forth Valley College’s Chairman Hugh Hall.

The site which is in a prime town centre location provided some interesting challenges for the leading team at Miller Construction who have a wealth of experience in the delivery of learning environments.  The topography of the site in itself was a challenge, as the campus sits within the side of a hill and preparation work was lengthy to ensure the correct placement within the environment. 

Complemented by the latest in technology innovations, the campus utilises an intelligent building management system which enables the building to self-regulate the temperature resulting in an environmentally sound heating and cooling system. 

The design of the campus was also given careful consideration and Reiach and Hall, the architects for the build, included a wall of full height windows in the Learner Centre creating a light and airy space which is believed to promote calm and encourage learning.