WREXHAM University has taken a significant step forward in its ambitious redevelopment plans with the selection of leading Welsh construction firm, Wynne Construction, to oversee the initial phase of the project. The pre-construction services agreement (PCSA) has been awarded to Wynne Construction for the development of the university’s £30m enterprise, engineering, and optics centre (EEOC), a key component of the North Wales Growth Deal.
Supported by £240m in funding from the Welsh and UK Governments, the Growth Deal investment aims to foster regional development under the guidance of Ambition North Wales. The EEOC will serve as a central hub for the design and construction of products incorporating composites and optics. Additionally, it will provide a dedicated space for collaborative research with industry partners, focusing on cutting-edge advancements in lightweight composite materials and the adoption of hydrogen fuel.
Wynne Construction will lead the initial planning and design process for the facility, which will be situated at the university’s Plas Coch flagship campus. The construction work is scheduled to commence by February 2024. Aulay Mackenzie, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham University, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are delighted to appoint Wynne Construction as the main contractor on the enterprise engineering and optics centre build project at our Plas Coch campus. We are confident that in working with the team at Wynne, our new facility will set the standard in design, functionality, and in demonstrating significant carbon emission reduction, all while delivering significant social value to North Wales.”
The EEOC project aligns with the university’s Campus 2025 strategy, which aims to create a modern academic and industry engagement environment. The goal is to equip students from Wrexham and around the world with the resources needed to develop innovative solutions for real-world challenges.
In addition to the construction responsibilities, Wynne Construction will actively engage with the local community, providing extensive social value through consultation and feedback. Chris Wynne, Managing Director of Wynne Construction, highlighted the company’s commitment to social value, saying, “As with all our builds, social value is at the heart of our work; we look forward to delivering transparent communication and community involvement as we design a facility that reflects the aspirations of an innovative regional economy. The design process is already underway, and we look forward to bringing our expertise to this scheme to create a first-class building that leaves a lasting legacy of social, economic, and environmental benefit for Wrexham and surrounding areas.”
The enterprise, engineering, and optics centre is one of the two high-value manufacturing projects supported by the North Wales Growth Deal. The centre’s establishment aims to attract additional investment and promote innovation, contributing to the region’s transition toward a low-carbon economy. Hedd Vaughan-Evans, Head of Operations from Ambition North Wales, praised the selection of Wynne Construction and emphasised the project’s potential, stating, “This is an exciting next step in the delivery of this Growth Deal project that will expand innovation opportunities for North Wales businesses and create high-value jobs across the region. We’re delighted that a North Wales company has been successful in the tendering process and impressed by the significant social value the project will deliver for the region. We look forward to working with Wrexham University and Wynne Construction through the upcoming design process ahead of a final investment decision later this year.”
With Wynne Construction at the helm, the Wrexham University engineering facility redevelopment is poised to drive progress in the region, establishing a state-of-the-art centre for research, collaboration, and advanced manufacturing, while leaving a positive and lasting impact on the community.
