Huge expansion at Galway-Mayo IT

The Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology's main campus is to grow in size by more than 40 per cent as part of a major new development for the college.

Around 10,000 square metres will be added to the campus at Renmore, Galway, at a total cost in excess of £20 million.

The development is being financed by the Government through the national development plan and is the largest redevelopment project at any IT to date. "This is a landmark project for the institute and for the Department of Education and Science," says director Dr Gay Corr.

The facilities will include a new library with a seating capacity of about 670, an information technology suite, a 300-seat auditorium and 18 new lecture halls. The expansion was proposed in 1997 in response to the growth of courses and student numbers at the college, which now caters for just under 9,000 students.

"The aim of the project is to enhance the facilities on the Galway campus, to provide a comfortable modern educational establishment for students and staff and provide a new public image and facade for the institute," says Corr.

The buildings have been designed by Limerick architects Murray O'Laoire to "reflect Galway's association with the sea". They will afford views of Galway Bay and the Clare hills.

Construction work is planned for completion in August 2002 with the building scheduled for use in September 2002.