Public gets virtual fly-through of Les Ozouets campus plans
A VIRTUAL fly-through of an AI-generated model of the proposed post-16 Les Ozouets campus was one of the features available to islanders attending a drop-in session at The Guernsey Institute’s Coutanchez facility.
Organised by the St Peter Port and Castel douzaines, the drop-in also brought together key stakeholders, including members of the Education, Sport & Culture Committee, staff from The Guernsey Institute, and douzeniers, all of whom were available to answer questions on the project.
It was staged in advance of a major States debate on capital priorities and how to fund them, which is expected to be held in October.
The post-16 campus at Les Ozouets, which would house The Guernsey Institute, as well as a sixth form centre, is considered by the Policy & Resources Committee as a priority spending project.
St Peter Port douzenier and drop-in organiser Diane Mitchell said the event provided a comprehensive round-up of information for those wishing to know more about the proposals. There were also guided tours offered of the Coutanchez campus.
‘We chose to host it here because Les Ozouets is currently boarded up. It’s been better than normal drop-ins, and we’ve had a much stronger turnout.’
ESC member Sue Aldwell was one of a number of deputies, including ESC president Andrea Dudley Owen and Peter Roffey, who attended the evening.
She said that the drop-in gave her and her ESC colleagues the chance to show why the project was approved by the States.
‘The public wanted something like this and we have delivered it, I’m hopeful that it will all come together following the debate next month.
‘Having more students together on the same campus will make better use of the excellent facilities being proposed.’
College of Further Education principal Louise Misselke said the new campus would help address concerns surrounding capacity.
‘Currently we struggle for space, particularly for courses such as construction and engineering which obviously require a large area for practical work.
‘This new campus is the answer and would take what we are able to offer to the next level. It’s fantastic that people are able to see what it would look like virtually.’
Executive principal of The Guernsey Institute Jacki Hughes hoped that there would be no further issues surrounding the funding of the project following the collapse of a contract last December, which would have seen the now-defunct RG Falla building the campus.
‘Good buildings don’t necessarily make good teaching but they certainly help, we want the campus to reflect the trades industry and to inspire people.
‘This evening is a way to continue to raise awareness about the project and continue to push it forward.’
