Today, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor celebrates its latest venture with the much-anticipated opening of its new marine engineering centre.

The newly purpose built Hafan Site is situated near the Pwllheli marina, and overlooks the very industry it aims to serve.

Mr John Tudor CBE, Chair of the College Corporation, welcomes the new site.

"The founding of Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor has been the biggest and, most successful educational development in the area since the establishment of the secondary schools. I'm very pleased to see that ten years on, the college is still very active, and is continually looking towards providing new avenues of study and training for our students. The new Hafan Site is a welcome addition to the college's educational provision."

The £1.5 million centre will offer youngsters the opportunity to gain qualifications, and follow a career in engineering, particularly marine engineering, locally. The Hafan Site will also be available for the community, as short courses and night classes are to be held at the centre in addition to the full time courses.

Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor's Principal, Dr Ian Rees, underlines the significance of the centre.

"This is a major new development for Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, and for the marine industry in Pwllheli, and the surrounding area. We are all aware that the ever-growing marine sector is a multi million pound industry. By providing training at the Hafan Site we are meeting the needs of the industry, and creating a workforce for the future.

"Today's formal opening of the centre signifies that we have succeeded, and achieved, what we set out to do. Now, as the Hafan site embarks on its first year, and welcomes its first set of students, we can look forward to seeing the centre develop further,

"Without ELWa, Gwynedd Council and Objective 1 funding, this ambitious new venture could not have happened. We are grateful for their support. Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor is also indebted to the many organisations, businesses and individuals that supported our work over many months."

The Hafan Site will be formally opened today by Elwa Chair, Mrs Sheila Drury.

To arrange a photo / interview at today's official opening please call Marketing and PR Officer, Nia Wyn, 07736 106 921.