The University of Leeds is planning to spend more than £200m on several building refurbishments mostly starting next year.

A large amount of this estimated figure is to be spent on refurbishing the Edward Boyle Library, which will boast new facilities such as larger teaching rooms and more flexible study spaces.

Following a survey conducted among students from the University, the refurbishment project also aims to fix current problems with the heating, lighting and ventilation systems in the library.

A user of the library who wished to remain anonymous told The Gryphon, ‘I suspect the Edward Boyle Library achieved its environmental targets by never turning on the heating no matter what.’

The plan also includes better digital infrastructure and the integration of the Skills@Library, VLE and Portal teams into a new ‘Skills Zone’.

Edward Boyle is not the only building set to be refurbished. A public auction will go take mid-February 2015 to find a contractor for the renovation of the Leeds University Union building, with the works planned to finish by December 2016. Most offices will remain operational during the refurbishment.

This is one of the largest development projects that the university has undergone since the 1960s. An investment of £375m has already been made on capital projects with major constructions including the Liberty Building and The Edge, which cost £12m and £20m respectively.

 

Valeria Popa