University unveils plans for £30m campus activity centre

PLANS for a £30m Student Activity Centre at Swansea University’s Singleton campus have been revealed.

Bosses say the centre will form part of a new Student Precinct and, subject to planning permission, will replace the former Digital Technium building which was built in 2003 at a cost of £9.5m.

The planned student precinct will offer teaching, study and social areas, and house student support and welfare services, the Students’ Union department, bookshop, bank, cafe and bar, a media hub and a dance and performance space.

The university says the precinct will “enhance the student experience both educationally and socially” and offer “facilities to place the university ahead of its peers”.

Construction giant Kier Group will be responsible for developing the new centre, with work expected to begin next summer.

Professor Richard B Davies, vicechancellor of Swansea University, said: “Providing a world-class student experience is at the heart of the university’s mission and the Student Precinct and the Student Activity Centre proposal will transform the student learning, social, support, and commercial and retail spaces to better cater for modern study practices and deliver a greatly enhanced student experience.

The development is part of the university’s campus development programme’s £300m second phase, which includes new buildings at the Bay Campus and further enhancement of the Singleton Campus.