Published on Friday 02 September 2022
An exciting new site for adult learners in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is ready to welcome its first students.
BCP Council’s Adult Education Centre has moved from its previous location in Oakdale, to the heart of Poole with new learning facilities upstairs in the Dolphin Centre.
The Mayor of Poole officially opens the space to the public this Wednesday 7 September, followed by an open event, where residents can explore the new rooms, get a taste of some of the courses on offer, view hair and beauty demonstrations and take part in art activities.
Refreshments will be available, along with a chance to chat to tutors, speak with the adult education team, take part in workshops and sign up for a course.
The new rooms are above HMV and The Body Shop, accessible via lifts and escalator and metres from Poole’s bus station.
Councillor Jane Kelly, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Health and Leisure said: "The new site means that adult education is closer than ever to residents’ homes. Bringing this facility to the Dolphin Centre will empower our communities by offering a variety of opportunities to flourish in a fantastic new space. I would encourage residents to visit and take a look, and perhaps sign up to something they’ve always wanted to try."
Skills & Learning Adult Community Education’s Principal, Lesley Spain, said: "We are very excited and proud to be opening our new flagship learning centre this week, after many months of planning and building works. We hope this first-class facility will inspire local people to develop their skills for work and life or improve their well-being, with the help and support of our excellent team of staff."
More information on the event is available at: www.skillsandlearningace.com/open-day
The launch of this £1.3million facility forms part of the wider ‘Future Retail Blueprint’ launched by LGIM Real Assets (Legal & General), owners of the Dolphin Centre, in 2020.
It complements a variety of new initiatives that have launched at the Dolphin over the past two years to re-frame and reimagine the shopping centre for the future, delivering a better and diversified retail experience for those visiting the town. The new line-up includes KINGLAND (a brand-new street dedicated to local, independent brands), the Dolphin Street Market, GATHER (a community events hub), an NHS outpatient clinic and FOUNDRY, a cutting edge co-working space that is due to open later this year.
John Grinnell, Centre Manager at The Dolphin Centre, said: "It is fantastic that after almost a year of development, we can deliver this invaluable resource to our local communities in partnership with BCP Council. Everyone has a right to an education, and it is estimated that over 5,600 learners will benefit from the centre’s state-of-art facilities each year, which is truly exceptional.
"The opening of this facility marks the next step in our wider plans to reimagine the Dolphin Centre, making it a future ready space. The new adult education centre now sits alongside a multitude of new environments that both complement and strengthen the Dolphin’s diverse retail offering, with many more still to come later this year."