COUNCILLORS, governors and college staff celebrated in hard hats and reflective jackets yesterday (Friday) as work started on a new �7.2million technology centre at the Isle Campus, Wisbech.

Cambridgeshire County Council leader Nick Clarke joined Fenland District Council deputy leader Chris Seaton and Principal David Pomfret for the “ground-breaking ceremony” at the College of West Anglia campus.

The multi-million build project will include state-of-the-art workshop facilities for engineering, motorsports and electro-technical programmes.

It will be constructed by contractors Morgan Sindall and will cover 2,700sq metres. Projected completion is Easter next year.

Cllr Clarke said he had been “personally involved” in the project, which has seen �5million invested by the county council.

He said: “I was here at this college at the beginning of the month and what I heard was incredible passion and drive to improve skills for Wisbech youngsters.

“But the facilities I saw when I walked around didn’t always seem to meet that ambition. Many were in need of rejuvenation.

“Today sees the start of that process of bringing the vision I heard about into a reality. The new technology centre will provide world-class opportunities for future generations here.

“This is a real success story and has been brought about by us all working together for the benefit of communities in and around Wisbech.”

Cllr Seaton said FDC had contributed �1.5million to the project and emphasised that Wisbech had “a lot of things to be proud of”.

Mr Pomfret said: “There are very few places which offer motorsport engineering courses. One of our former students is now working with the Lotus team, travelling all over the world.

“The kind of opportunities this building will create are limitless.”

He added: “You can probably tell from the beam on my face that I’m delighted that today has come.”

Roger Ward, a governor at the college for more than 10 years, said: “This is one of the biggest and happiest days in my time as a governor.

“We have had so many false starts with building projects but this has been brilliant from the moment they knocked the first brick out to make way for the new block.

“I think this is fantastic for Fenland and everyone associated with the college.”