Turf-cutting masterclass starts new school build
‘I am glad the work has finally begun’
THE YOUNGEST S1 pupil set to start in Campbeltown’s ‘much needed’ new grammar school helped to formally commemorate work beginning on the building.
Megan Lines, a 10-year-old Dalintober primary pupil, and 2016 Campbeltown dux student Cameron Macalister ploughed their shiny spades into the playing field at a ceremony on Monday morning to mark construction starting, with a helping hand from councillor Rory Colville.
The new school, with capacity for up to 500 pupils, is expected to be complete by the spring of 2018, with external works following.
Replace
The three-storey building, a new 3G sports pitch, music pavilion, enlarged car park and dedicated pupil drop-off area will replace the current 1960s buildings.
The £15.5 million project is being carried out by Argyll and Bute Council in partnership with hub North Scotland and the Scottish Futures Trust, through the Scottish Government’s Schools for the Future programme.
The turf-cutting ceremony involved speeches from Catriona Hood, policy lead for education, Mr Colville and hub North chief executive Angus MacFarlane.
Mr Colville said: ‘This is something which, as anyone who has attended Campbeltown Grammar over the past few years would agree, is much needed.
‘We have been working on this project for a long time and, as a former pupil, I for one am absolutely delighted to see it going ahead.
‘We are focused on providing young people in and around Campbeltown with the best possible start in life and today is a huge milestone in the process of delivering a new school fit for the 21st century.’
Best it can be
Ms Hood said: ‘It is good to be at this stage in the journey towards our new school. Everyone here is part of this journey, from Megan who we will welcome as our youngest S1 pupil, to our senior pupils and staff who will help shape the school community to be the best it can be when we move.
‘I appreciate the support of Argyll and Bute Council, the Scottish Government, hub North and Scottish Futures Trust. We have built good relationships with Morrison Construction, who have safety as their highest priority, and I am particularly grateful to Mike Casey for drawing all these organisations and bodies together to bring us to this stage.’
Mr Casey, former head teacher at Campbeltown Grammar and now the project manager for the council’s new schools projects, said: ‘Building the school for the town you live in and love is truly a wonderful feeling.’
Councillor Donald Kelly added: ‘I am glad after years of campaigning that the work has finally started on the new school.
‘Although not part of current plans, I would have liked to see some protection put in place to help shelter pupils from the weather when walking to the school from the bus drop-off area.’