THE expansion of the LIT campus to the tune of €200 million will not only benefit students but the city as a whole, according to the college president.
Speaking at the Limerick School of Art and Design on Clare Street, Dr. Maria Hinfelaar explained that the ‘Campus 2030 Masterplan’ would see an additional 50,000sq metres of facilities as well as extensive refurbishment of existing facilities. Included are a new 7,000sq metre campus for Coonagh that, according to Dr Hinfelaar, will “act as a gateway into Limerick that will be vastly improved on what we’re looking at now”.
The investment will also be seen across LIT’s four existing campuses in Moylish, LSAD on Clare Street and the LIT Tipperary campus in Thurles and Clonmel.
The expansion is expected to create a significant boost with the creation of jobs in its implementation.
The three Limerick campuses will be renamed after the ancient kingdoms of Munster – Desmond (City Centre), Thomond (Moylish) and Ormond (Coonagh).
“We are convinced this will improve the city,” Dr. Hinfelaar added.
“We have been working with Conn Murray and his team to ensure this happens”.
The college is also looking to join in on the smarter travel plans for the city, to allow the new campuses to be interconnected with walk and cycle-ways and public transport.
The masterplan will amount to the most significant expenditure by a third level institute outside of Dublin.
The first phase is to cost €20m and will be drawn from the colleges own resources.
Work will commence next year and comprise the development of the new Irish Fashion Incubator enterprise centre; the reinvention of an existing 7,000 sq building as the centrepiece of the new Ormond campus which will create a new gateway to the LIT facilities as well as to the city; major refurbishment of existing campuses and development of sports facility infrastructure on multiple sites.
Many of these facilities will be developed in conjunction with partners.
The ambitious programme is in response to the current capacity challenges at LIT, as well as an anticipated 30% increase in student numbers, to 9,000, over the period of the plan.
“It’s a milestone for us as we are embarking on an unprecedented level of expansion,” added Dr Hinfelaar.
According to Minister Jan O’Sullivan, “Limerick is at the start of a new and positive phase of its life.
“We are fighting back against recession, negative image, fragmentation and, frankly, a failure to always pull together for the common good.
“LIT has put its hand up to play a key role in this and I strongly commend you for that active leadership”.
