Partner Article

College buries capsule to mark new £39 million building

The burial of a time capsule has marked the official handover of Gateshead College’s new £39 million Baltic campus.

The time capsule was buried in a special cavity in the Japanese garden area of the new campus by principal David Cheetham and student David Brookes, with key partners in the building project present.

The handover also marks the start of the major fit-out that will be complete in time for the new term starting in February 2008.

Gateshead College principal, David Cheetham said: “The time capsule will serve as a legacy to future generations and will give an idea about what life was like at the college in 2007 and why we invested in new facilities.

“We hope those who open the contents in 2060 will find them both interesting and informative. The college is facing an exciting future as we move to our new campus and complete our investment of £60million in new facilities.”

Objects placed in the capsule were selected by staff and students to reflect the life and culture of the college at the time of the move.

Some of the items include photographs, DVDs, drawings, information about the project and college information - including its history.

Gateshead College student David Brookes said: “I am excited about the future of the college and hope I’ll be able to come along and dig it up in 53 years time.”

The college is the first building on the Baltic Business Park in the Quayside area of Gateshead. Over 550 staff will be relocating to the state-of-the-art building that will become home for the College and will educate up to 12,000 students per year.

Ideally located by two of the region’s best known landmarks, the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and the Sage Gateshead, the new college will also be able to offer businesses a centrally located, cutting edge conference venue. The campus will include specialist resources, such as integrated ICT and interactive whiteboards, modern design and top class catering amenities.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .