[13
SEP 00] COVENTRY UNIVERSITY NEWS
New 'Fame' School Suffers Delay
 A
£7 million scheme by Coventry University to transform the city’s
old Odeon cinema has run into trouble and will not be complete before
the start of term.
The
new Performing Arts centre in Jordan Well was supposed to be ready for
lessons at the beginning of the academic year.
But
technical difficulties with the project has put the building work
behind schedule and contingency plans have been put into place to
handle lessons.
Vice
Chancellor Mike Goldstein said one of the contractors working on the
site went into liquidation during the work, which caused a delay.
 He
said that commitments to keep the original façade and dome of the
building had added to the complexities of the project.
Dr
Goldstein said there will be a phased hand-over of the building from
the end of September.
Facilities
that will not be completed by then include the specially-sprung dance
floor and the air-conditioning.
The
building next door, the old library, will be used for general
teaching, and staff in the Communication, Culture and Media faculty
will delay their move from M-block.
Dr
Goldstein said:
“This
was always going to be a difficult project.
“The
current problems will be overcome, and the resulting facilities will
be excellent and well worth the wait – both for the university and
the city.”
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