PLANS have been unveiled to replace the existing Galashiels Academy with a ‘state-of-the-art’ modern community campus learning facility.
Launched by the Scottish Borders Council, proposals show that the new campus would be built ‘largely’ within the existing school boundary and a portion of the town’s Scott Park.
If given the go ahead, works will commence in the summer of 2023 and be delivered by hub South East Scotland alongside Morrison Construction and JM Architects. The existing school would then be demolished in 2025.
The new learning space would offer open plan and modern learning environments, which would also provide a variety of ‘versatile’ spaces for use by the wider community.
Core teaching and community spaces would be arranged around a ‘vibrant’ central spine through the building, which plans said would encourage collaboration, creativity and socialising.
It would also include a swimming pool and ‘extensive’ indoor sports hall facilities, as well as outdoor facilities which would include a 2G hockey pitch, a 3G rugby and football pitch, grass football pitch, covered tennis courts and a running track.
A ‘significant re-imagining’ and expansion of Scott Park is also proposed, with the provision of new play park facilities, additional greenspace and improved connections with the Gala Policies and Gala Hill woodland.
Scott Brown, project director at hub South East, said, “We are excited to reach this key milestone in the project, allowing us to further progress the development, design and construction of this new campus for Galashiels.
“Community consultation has been key in shaping the vision for this new campus and we look forward to working with Scottish Borders Council and our contractor Morrison Construction, to bring these plans to life, delivering a modern facility which supports a 21st century curriculum for pupils and is an asset to the local community.”
