HUB South West Scotland has appointed Kier Construction to deliver two state-of-the-art secondary schools – one in Troon and one in Ayr – on behalf of South Ayrshire Council.
The design, build finance and maintain projects, with a combined value of £57m, will attract revenue support from the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) as part of the Scottish Government’s ‘Scotland’s Schools for the Future’ Phase 3 programme.
Marr College in Troon will undergo a comprehensive refurbishment, modernisation and expansion programme. The original listed Grade B building will be refurbished and a brand new wing will be built over three storeys, connecting it to the rear of the original building over all floors. A single-storey sports facility will also be built.
Kier is also due to begin work on the site of the new Ayr Academy in the third quarter of next year. The new school, with integrated sports block, will initially cater for 1,000 pupils, with the potential to increase that number to 1,300 following completion of housing developments within the catchment area.
Managing director of Kier Construction’s Scotland & north-east England business, Brian McQuade, said, “There is no doubt these projects will provide a substantial boost to the local economy. The significant financial investment, combined with the employment opportunities that the developments will create for locally based suppliers and subcontractors, is great news for the people of South Ayrshire.”
Michael McBrearty, Chief Executive of hub South West Scotland, added, “hub South West is a public private partnership which enables the cost efficient design and construction of community facilities, including schools, health centres and care homes, within the south-west of Scotland. We are very proud to be associated with these significant projects in South Ayrshire and the benefits that they will provide for students in the area. However, it’s important that the benefits to the wider communities are also recognised, such as access to training, further education and to sporting facilities, as well as the financial investment and the jobs opportunities that the developments will create.”
