STANDING at the doorway to a new future are Dianne Willcocks, principal of York St John College, and Kevin Donegan, Yorkshire regional director of construction company Balfour Beatty.

Now that York St John College has formally bought the Clarence Street coach and lorry park from the City of York Council, Balfour Beatty began work there today on what will be a three-year, multi-million investment programme.

By summer next year there will be a learning centre, a sports science, psychology and health studies building as well as a new general teaching block.

Balfour Beatty Construction, part of the international engineering, construction and services group, beat off tough competition for the contract which will entail working closely with the college consultants and with mechanical and electrical contractor NG Bailey.

Dianne Willcocks said: "We expect that the resulting facilities will be of great benefit to our staff, our students and our local community. A lot of hard work is finally coming to fruition and we eagerly anticipate completion of the project." Kevin Donegan said: "We worked very effectively with the college prior to securing the project, examining issues such as added value and buildability and I foresee the beginnings of what will be a positive long-term relationship."

Updated: 10:49 Tuesday, April 02, 2002