Shaping up nicely
New Bankhead Primary coming together
Work on the new Bankhead Primary School is continuing apace.
South Lanarkshire Council appointed Lend Lease as principal contractor for construction of the new Rutherglen school.
The new Bankhead Primary will comprise of 11 classrooms, gym, kitchen, changing area, dining hall, ICT suite, staff areas, general purpose areas / open spaces, a hygiene room, a multi use games area ( MUGA) pitch, and a community wing.
The old school, which opened in 1935, closed in January this year, with pupils being decanted to the old Spittal Primary School building, until the new building opens next year.
Drew Kearins, the site manager for construction firm Lend Lease, said: “Our SFS Framing is nearly complete with the brick work progressing well behind it.
“The Clerestory glazing has been installed with closure flashings being manufactured at present, with these fitted, our roof works will be complete.
“The elevation windows are now starting to arrive on site and should be fitted on programme making the building water tight before we stop for the Christmas holiday
“The internal partitions are moving fast. Due to the atrium area in the middle of the new school, we need to concentrate on all high level works prior to the under floor heating being installed.
“The internal fire stair handrails are also ongoing with the feature stair on site awaiting installation.”
LendLease have also been keen to involve youngsters at Bankhead during the construction period.
Drew added: “We asked the Bankhead Nursery staff if we could call in and talk to the kids about the dangers of playing on building sites.
“The response from the kids was great, we managed to purchase some small hats and vests and the kids were more than happy to model them for a group photo along with our safety mascot Coney.”
Lynn Sherry, head of education at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “The council is delighted to see the new school taking shape and looks forward to a facility opening that will provide a 21st century environment for the education of local children for generations to come.”