GLASGOW'S newest multi-million pound college threw open its doors after a major revamp.

Langside College's £36.2million new- build will be officially unveiled today by First Minister Alex Salmond.

College bosses promise the campus, which has taken three years to build, will transform learning for thousands of city students.

And the Evening Times was given the first tour around the impressive new centre.

Graeme Hyslop OBE, principal of Langside College, said: "The new college campus will provide us with the opportunity to further develop the Langside experience for the benefit of our learners as it supports academic goals and will play a key role in so many people's futures.

"Scotland enjoys a proud tradition of valuing education and we, here at Langside College, adhere to that tradition. We are enablers of the Scotland of tomorrow – whatever that may be.

"Our new campus provides us with the resources to empower all our learners."

The turf was cut on the first of three building phases in February 2008 to create engineering workshops, science laboratories, art studios, a beauty therapy centre and training facilities for catering.

The second phase covered a sports block, including a sports hall, followed by a separate theatre arts building.

And the third phase, completed last year, includes landscaping of the site, additional parking facilities and two five-a-side outdoor, all weather football pitches. Formerly Glasgow School for the Deaf, the college took over the nearby Prospect Building, which is now converted into flats.

In 1964, Langside was rehoused in a purpose-built facility on an adjacent site.

But by 2007 the 'new' building had become outdated, and bosses took the decision to develop a third home for the college with help from funding by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) .

The college, in Battlefield Road, sits on a historic site where Mary Queen of Scots's army fought the Battle of Langside.

In keeping with the history of the area, the new buildings have been named after historical figures, including The Hamilton Gate, the Queen Mary Gate and the Moray Gate.

Each year Langside enrols more than 10,000 students from more than 50 countries.

The college claims to offer the widest choice of Highers of any college in the west of Scotland.

It offers students free sports facilities, including a gym and swimming pool, and a range of free courses, including golf, cooking, relaxation therapy, woodwork and yoga.

And it also runs a range of evening courses for adult learners.

Mark Batho, chief executive of the SFC, said: "SFC is delighted to have been the main funder of this splendid new campus. A stimulating environment inspires people to learn.

"The new buildings at Langside provide learning spaces that the college can be very proud of and that staff, students and the local community will benefit from for years to come."

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk

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