The history of Doncaster Gate

We don’t know about you, but for us it doesn’t seem two minutes since the plans for University Centre Rotherham were announced. UCR is set to open its doors and welcome its first huddle of students in September, and as we edge closer to the day when we’ll be able to count the remaining number of days on our fingers, we thought we’d take a look at the history of Doncaster Gate both past and present.

Few locals would argue that Doncaster Gate has always been an invaluable part of the community. With a long-standing history of health and well-being, the plot of land holds a lot of meaning to many local residents. Something you may not know; in honour of its predecessor, stones from the hospital will be displayed in all their glory around the UCR grounds. Considering the weight of its reputation, it was important that the building to follow would be a suitable protégé and the proposal of University Centre Rotherham more than fit the bill. The brand spanking new campus will have an equally significant positive impact on the community, delivering degrees and professional teaching qualifications in the heart of Rotherham.

In the planning stages, lots of thought and consideration went into determining the best way to minimise disruption to the local wildlife during the build. Our contractors, Wilmott Dixon, are big advocates of biodiversity management and work in collaboration with The Wildlife Trusts. Care was taken to ensure that the UCR building would be energy efficient, including the installation of roof solar panels. You may have also noticed that there is also a large array of greenery surrounding the building – growing evidence suggests that green spaces and nature can reduce stress levels, boost mental health, increase fitness and protect against a range of diseases.

UCR is part of an overarching plan to rejuvenate Rotherham and propel it into the 21st century. Alas, despite acknowledging its roots – you can be assured that the state-of-the-art building is far from being stuck in the past. Jam-packed with state-of-the-art, modern facilities, UCR will create highly-desirable graduates equipped with a competitive skillset and the confidence to fulfil and adapt to the demands of their chosen industry.