Wrecking ball begins £7m Rotherham college rebuild

With students at Rotherham College of Arts and Technology on their summer holiday, the demolition crews got to work at the college’s town centre campus.

Demolition of the Starting Point block is the initial step in the first phase of a total overhaul of the RCAT’s town centre buildings.

College bosses initially aimed to carry out an ambitious £70 million rebuild scheme but a national funding crisis at the Learning & Skills Council last summer forced them to scale down their plans.

Instead of completely rebuilding large sections of the college’s Eastwood Building as one large project, bosses now aim to carry out the work in five phases, with the first expected to cost about £7 million.

A college spokeswoman said: “Phase 1 will provide a new focal point entrance for the campus development, with classrooms and facilities equipped to modern standards.

“The new building will link to the existing advanced manufacturing facilities and provide an improved environment for the development of higher level and technical skills courses.

“In order not to disrupt learning, the college is demolishing its Starting Point building during the summer break.”

Rotherham-based demolition specialist Ron Hull has been appointed to carry out the work, which will be completed in time for student enrolment in September.