The new Learning Resource Centre will provide teaching and learning space for 1,000 students and 70 staff and will expand MTU’s portfolio of programmes and services. The building is due for completion in summer 2025.
The project is part of the Department of Higher and Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science’s Higher Education Public Private Partnership programme, which is also seeing the development of a new STEM building on MTU’s Kerry North Campus in Tralee.
The new 6,660m² Learning Resource Centre which was topped out yesterday afternoon will – as well as expanding MTU’s portfolio of programmes and services – provide enhanced options for student support, industry engagement, entrepreneurship, and research and innovation. It will also provide new options for hosting events and conferences. Its central location on the Bishopstown campus ensures that it will be fully integrated with existing facilities and services.
Speaking at the topping out ceremony, MTU President, Professor Maggie Cusack said:
“Today’s ceremony of the topping out of the new Learning Resource Centre marks an exciting step forward for MTU. When it opens next year, the LRC will be a state-of-the-art building dedicated to improving our students’ university experience. This new space will provide students and staff with new learning and teaching facilities and additional room to study and socialise. As we expand, we remain committed to sustainability and responsible growth, so we’ve ensured this building has been designed to be NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) to help us reach our climate action targets.”
Also speaking was Chair of MTU’s Governing Body, Mr Jimmy Deenihan said: “MTU is coming into its own as a first-choice university in the southwest region. The LRC building is just one of several projects currently underway at MTU. In Bishopstown, we recently opened the new MTU Arena, and are converting the old gym into lecture halls, while in Tralee we are currently constructing a major new STEM building on our Kerry North campus. We are also progressing the business cases for the expansion and renovation of Blocks D and A in Bishopstown and the construction of a Learning Resource Centre on our Kerry North campus. This rapid expansion is helping MTU reach its strategic goal of being a truly great, globally competitive university. This will benefit students and staff for generations to come and have a great impact on our surrounding communities in terms of education, research, career opportunities and regional development.”
Commenting on this project milestone Ger Ronayne, CEO of JJ Rhatigan & Company said:
“We are happy with progress on this Learning Resource Centre at MTU Cork and across the other five buildings within the Higher Education Bundle 1 project. We expect to have all six buildings completed by Q2 2025 as planned. This project represents an important milestone in the Government’s Higher Education Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme. We are delighted to be working with the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) again, building upon our strong relationship. Our clients trust us and, more importantly, the higher education communities trust us, to deliver six great facilities. Days like today show what amazing things happen when we work together.”
The Learning Resource Centre is being delivered by Enbarr Partnership, comprising equity provider Macquarie Capital Group Ltd., construction contractor JJ Rhatigan & Company, and Sodexo Ireland Limited who have responsibility for facilities management.
