The complicated three year saga that has centered around the issue of MedClub is set to be resolved after the new plans for re-development were released last Tuesday.
At a Student Council meeting on Tuesday 25 November, Andy Button-Stephens, President of the Student’s Union, spoke about the changes made to the proposed plans for MedClub.
The plans include better bar provision, more social networking space and a food outlet area, which is intended to be similar to the Kitchen Bar at the Student’s Union.
The need for such provisions were highlighted in the ‘Heath Park Survey’, which the Student’s Union used to develop their stance on MedClub.
As the plans show, the redevelopments will provide a specially dedicated student space, compared to the current situation where students are forced to share facilities with staff and patients from the Heath.
Andy Buttons-Stephens has placed great emphasis on the adaptability of MedClub, hoping that it will have a multiple function use.
Facilities include modular seating, which can be moved around to make space for music events, or for society meetings.
It is hoped that the redevelopments will encourage more students to attend MedClub, and increase its popularity among the student population.
gair rhydd has previously reported on the issue of MedClub, whose popularity has been slowly decreasing despite being seen as part of student heritage among a small minority.
At Student Council it was revealed that MedClub has been a drain on Union funds, costing roughly £50,000 a year to run despite only putting on a small number of events last year.
Such high costs are put down to the amount of staff hired to run club nights and events, which only have a small student turn-out.
The plans are aimed at modernising MedClub to attract more students to evening events.
It is hoped that the re-developments will take roughly four weeks, which will mean that MedClub will be fully functional and open to students in February/early March.
James Wood, Vice President of the Student’s Union welcomed the plans as, “the first big success of the ‘Heal the Heath’ campaign.”
Andy Button-Stephens said, “A dedicated student space is a welcome addition for the Heath Campus.” He also added the importance of Student participation and welcomes other views.
Email him with your comments on the plans at buttonsa@cardiff.ac.uk
