Wolverhampton City Council has completed the final phase of the £61 million City Learning Quarter, a major redevelopment of educational facilities in the city centre.
The project brings together three key components: a new state-of-the-art college campus that opened to students in November, a renovated Central Library, and expanded Adult Education facilities.
Library and Adult Education Renovation
The Grade II* listed Central Library has undergone extensive heritage restoration works. The roof has been replaced, leadwork renewed, and the main spire and matching copper domes have been replaced in matching copper. The building's historical façade elements have been preserved as part of the work.
Inside, the library has been refitted with new flooring, shelving and furniture. A new rear entrance lobby has been constructed, and the 1970s extension has been internally remodelled to provide two new first floor offices, toilets, a kitchenette and ground floor space for book deliveries, sorting and collections.
Adult Education Wolverhampton's Alan Garner building on Old Hall Street has been internally remodelled to create more flexible classroom space and a new teaching kitchen. A 2 storey glazed link building now connects it directly to Central Library's 1930s extension.
The work was carried out by contractor Speller Metcalfe.
What the Project Delivers
The overall redevelopment has created a modernised, reconfigured and accessible, digitally enabled Central Library for the public and expanded centralised Adult Education provision designed to meet post-16 learner and employer demands.
Councillor Stephen Simkins, City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, said: "The completion of improvement works to Central Library and our Adult Education facilities are the final piece of the jigsaw in our magnificent City Learning Quarter. The improved library and adult education building, alongside the new college campus, provide state of the art facilities in the city centre that will improve life chances for people of all ages through learning, apprenticeship and employment offers."
Warinder Juss MP, Wolverhampton West, said: "The completion of the City Learning Quarter is a fantastic milestone for Wolverhampton. This investment in our college, library and adult education facilities will open new opportunities for people of all ages to learn new skills, access better jobs, and fulfil their potential."
Future Work
Future public realm works are planned to connect the rear of the new library and adult education facilities with the nearby future development at St George's.