The new 5,000 m2 campus is being built on the site of the recently demolished St Kessog’s Primary School on Dalvait Road in Balloch. When complete in 2018 it will bring three existing schools together, with capacity for 747 pupils.
The design and build contract was awarded to Morgan Sindall by the council through the LHC schools & community buildings framework.
The building’s facade is predominantly facing brick with punctured windows and a black monolith entrance feature to the centre. The rear of the building has full height glass curtain walling to allow maximum light into the building, alongside coloured fibre cement board panelling to the games hall block. An aluminium standing seam roof will be slightly pitched, allowing for the installation of solar panels to meet current energy saving targets.
In addition to the construction of the main building, the site team is laying a synthetic sports pitch, as well as installing a new roundabout at the junction of Miller Road to improve vehicle access, and a pedestrian crossing to ensure pupils can cross the road in safety.
The start of work was marked with a traditional turf cutting ceremony, attended by representatives from Morgan Sindall and West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC), along with staff and pupils (pictured below).
Harry Thorburn, managing director of Morgan Sindall in Scotland, said: “The importance of this campus to people in the local community cannot be overstated. Designing and building an environment where individual schools can come together, while retaining their distinct identities is a challenge, but one that Morgan Sindall is well equipped to deal with.
“As the UK’s leading school builder, we have both the experience and expertise to deliver a multi-faceted project such as this, and we’re confident that the finished campus will be well received.”
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