CONSTRUCTION work is underway at the the £68 million Barony Campus in East Ayrshire.
The campus will incorporate The Robert Burns Academy, Lochnorris Primary School, Cherry Trees Early Childhood Centre and Hillside School when it completes in 2020.
Morrison Construction is delivering the facility, which East Ayrshire Council has described as “one of the most exciting learning campus ever built in Scotland”. The campus will be set out as a series of four interconnected buildings and feature facilities including flood-lit sports pitches, a running track, community café, meeting rooms and theatre space.
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council said, “After a considerable period of discussion, deliberation and consultation, it really is a pleasure to see this project coming out of the ground. It’s one thing to see the drawings on paper, but it’s only when you are on site that you really appreciate the scale of this project and the impact it will have on the lives of our young people and communities.
“East Ayrshire is leading the way with this campus. This project has been brought to life thanks to the input from pupils, parents, teachers and the wider local communities. The design will provide a nurturing 21st century learning and teaching environment to enable every child and young person to reach their full potential, and members of the community in Cumnock, Auchinleck and the surrounding villages will also be able to take advantage of the facilities on offer.
“Provision for pupils requiring additional support will be second to none; the new campus will feature six fully equipped classrooms, dining facilities, a hydrotherapy pool, a state of the art sensory room and additional therapy spaces. In this digital age, it’s vital that our pupils have access to the very latest technology and facilities to enhance their learning.”
Eddie Robertson, Morrison Construction’s MD for central Scotland added, “We are excited to begin works on this state-of-the-art project, which is a major investment for Cumnock, Auchinleck and the surrounding areas.
‘‘We look forward to continuing our working partnership with East Ayrshire Council and delivering this wonderful education facility for pupils, staff and the community. ‘Throughout construction we will continue to engage with all stakeholders while creating education and employment opportunities to ensure the project has a positive local impact that endures once the development is delivered.”
