It’s all systems go for new school hub

Work on a new £25 million community hub will soon get underway in Coatbridge after North Lanarkshire Council signed a contract with project partners South West and Morgan Sindall.

Catering for a capacity of up to 534 pupils and 50 early learning and childcare places, the new hub will bring together Carnbroe and Sikeside primary schools along with an early years class.

The two-storey building will provide extensive natural lighting along with exciting and flexible learning spaces.

It also features an 11-a-side all-weather playing surface, extensive landscaped and outside teaching facilities which are designed to provide what those behind the project describe as “a country-like park feel”.

Its progressive design will support and accommodate a wide range of learning requirements for today and in the future. The facilities will be available to the wider community outwith the school day.

Approximately £25m is being invested in the project, which is fully financed by the council.

Councillor Frank Mcnally, convener of education and families, told the Advertiser: “I am delighted that we have taken a massive step towards delivering this exciting new community hub, which forms such a key part of our vision for North Lanarkshire.

“We have a clear goal to ensure that our youngest residents have the very best start in life.

“Schools represent our biggest investment in infrastructure and we are committed to replacing every establishment not rebuilt or remodelled since 1996.

“Integrated town hubs and the smaller community hubs will modernise the school estate and offer multiple services from the council and our partners, including the third sector.

“I am pleased that we will soon see other community hub projects get underway across our area.”

Both school communities will be involved in choosing the name for the new hub and the new school – in a similar process to that carried out at the former Dunrobin and Petersburn primary schools, which merged to form Hilltop Primary in Airdrie.

The process for the naming of the new school is already underway with pupils researching the local area to generate some great ideas for the hub name.

Work will start on the project early next year and is expected to take around 18 months to complete.

We have a clear goal to ensure that our youngest residents have the very best start in life

Learning space The interior design for a classroom for the new Carnbroe and Sikeside primary schools

Delighted Councillor Frank Mcnally, convener of education and families

From above An aerial image of the upcoming £25 million facility

Sneak peek A view of what the hub’s front entrance will look like