A space once used as a cafeteria has been given a new lease of life as a conference centre after a $500,000 facelift for the unit at Bermuda College.

The opening of the facility was announced by the Bermuda College Foundation and was thanks to a “generous” donation from Butterfield & Vallis.

Works included an electrical upgrade, the installation of LED lighting and a new HVAC system, new flooring and tile, as well as a fresh paint job.

The foundation said: “Used years ago as a cafeteria, the repurposed conference centre has a capacity of 180 people and can host a diverse array of events including meetings, conferences or workshops, and special events.”

Named the Butterfield & Vallis Conference Centre, the facility also includes an audiovisual system with two 86in wall-mounted displays and two 75in ceiling-mounted displays.

It has the ability for video sources such as laptops and tablets to be sent to the displays from a wired connection or wirelessly.

The AV system also has the ability for technology connection to the Athene Lecture Theatre to allow for overflow capabilities.

Garry Madeiros, the Bermuda College Foundation chairman, said: “The Butterfield family and Butterfield & Vallis are well known for their consistent and ongoing support of our island community and are longstanding supporters of Bermuda College.

“We are truly grateful to Jim and Spencer Butterfield and Butterfield & Vallis for their generous donation of $500,000, which has enabled the transformation of what was an underutilised and outdated facility into a beautifully enhanced space.

“The Butterfield & Vallis Conference Centre not only better meets the needs of the college itself but also becomes a revenue-generating opportunity for them as they can now offer a high quality, rentable event space to the broader community.”

Mr Madeiros added: “I would also like to express the foundation’s appreciation to Bendell Design, Greymayne Contracting Ltd and their subcontractors, Michael Hollis, a foundation director, and Cleun Gaiton, the Bermuda College director of facilities.

“A project such as this requires a high level of collaboration and the efficient co-ordination of many players.

“Their efforts allowed for an almost seamless process, with the renovations coming in on budget and on time.”

Jim and Spencer Butterfield said that Butterfield & Vallis was proud of its longstanding association with Bermuda College and the student support provided by the company, especially in the field of culinary arts.

The director and the chief executive of the business, respectively, added: “We are pleased at this time to assist with the further development of the physical plant with the conference centre, which we understand will benefit both the college and the community at large.

“Congratulations to all those who have worked so hard to bring this to fruition.”

David Sam, the college’s president, thanked Butterfield & Vallis for the “wonderful gift” that came through the foundation.

He said: “The Butterfield & Vallis Conference Centre will be a hub of activity, not only for the faculty, staff and students of Bermuda College, but for the local community as well.

“Thank you to everyone who was involved in bringing this project to fruition.”

To inquire about availability of the space, e-mail roombookings@college.bm. Room rental applications can be made at college.bm/index.php/room-rental.