Neither Carillion nor the university would comment on the contract awards, which are due to be finalised within the next two weeks. However, sources have suggested that Carillion has pushed ahead of Jarvis for the first tranche of work, and a source at Kier Build commented that it was leading Sir Robert McAlpine for the second.
The new De Havilland campus, situated on a 12 ha site at the Hatfield Business Park, close to the A1(M) and just 1 km from the university's main Hatfield site, will merge the satellite Watford and Hertford campuses.
The university has been looking for a PFI partner to build accommodation units as well as redeveloping 7.2 ha for sports grounds. The preferred bidder will be expected to provide facilities management for the campus.
Sources have suggested that Carillion has pushed ahead of Jarvis for one tranche of work
The sports block will include a main sports hall with 12 badminton courts, which will also be used for volleyball, basketball and indoor hockey. Other facilities include a 25 m swimming pool, a large health and fitness suite, a four-lane indoor cricket centre and a 12 m high climbing wall. The accommodation blocks will include 1600 rooms within a hall of residence.
The university bought the Hatfield site from developer Arlington Securities at the beginning of the year. Arlington has been in charge of tendering for the second contract to construct 20,900 m2 of academic resources, which include two faculty buildings and an auditorium.
