A sod-cutting ceremony has marked the start of building work at the new £35 million education and community campus in Faifley.
Councillor Clare Steel (chair of educational services at West Dunbartonshire Council), and councillor David McBride (chair of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development), broke the ground at St Joseph’s Primary School where the facility is being built.
The campus is being funded through the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Improvement Programme in partnership with Hub West Scotland, Holmes Miller Architects and Morrison Construction.
The facility will include St Joseph’s and Edinbarnet Primary Schools; Auchnacraig and Lennox Early Learning and Childcare Centres; an additional support needs base; education resource centre; community facilities to replace the Skypoint Centre and a new community library.
The grounds will have an all-weather sports pitch and an external Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) for outdoor sports as well as a ‘generous’ playground to enhance opportunities for physical activity.
Materials used will include a palette of ‘high quality, durable and robust’ materials inspired by the Cochno Stone which is a large cup and ring marked rock sited within Faifley.
Stephen Long, senior associate director at Scottish Futures Trust, said, “The Faifley Campus is a fantastic example of collaboration, bringing together a range of facilities and services to provide the best support for all learners, teachers and the wider community. Scottish Futures Trust recognise the creative, inclusive and ambitious approach of all partners in this project and are delighted it has reached this key milestone.”
Iain Marley, Hub West Scotland’s chief executive, added, “We are delighted to see the excellent progress being made on site following an extremely positive pre-construction period with our valued development partner, West Dunbartonshire Council. The new state-of-the-art facility will deliver a range of first-rate education facilities that meet the needs of every child and improve services for local people by co-locating education and community facilities under one roof.
“The project is already bringing significant value and benefits to the local community and we are committed to ensuring that the project leaves a lasting legacy for the Faifley community.”
The project is expected to take just over two years to complete.
