Work starts on £9.6m New Cumnock school

Sep 2 2011 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A MULTI-million pound makeover is underway at one of Ayrshire’s most historic schools.

Children and families in New Cumnock have seen work start on their new £9.6 million village campus.

And they helped to kick off the construction, which will also see the building of a new nursery.

The development is part of East Ayrshire Council’s plans to regenerate the centre of New Cumnock.

The former Castle Primary building, an integral part of the area’s heritage, will still exist.

But it will now be fully upgraded for modern education in the 21st century.

Work will include a new gym and renovation of all wall, floor, ceilings, doors and windows, along with the installation of solar panels.

The new-build, single storey nursery, which will link to the school via a covered walkway, will ensure the village benefits from a fully modern facility for its youngest learners.

A new parking and drop-off area with upgraded playground area will be built, while flood defence walls will be constructed to protect the nursery and school

In the meantime, provision will continue at the former Cairnhill campus until the move to the new premises.

Barr Holdings hope to have the work completed by early 2013.

Councillor Jim Roberts, spokesperson for lifelong learning, said: “The ceremony marked an important new chapter not only in the life of the school and nursery, but also of New Cumnock itself.

“The school community chose the school name and new dress code and pupils Leiah Watson and April Steele designed the school badge.

“It reflects the local mining heritage and the clasping of hands in friendship to represent the old colours of both primaries. I know that everyone here is proud to be associated with it”.

Council leader Douglas Reid added: “The school and nursery will be fully fitted and equipped for learning in the 21st century and that is what all young people in New Cumnock deserve.

“I am very much looking forward to visiting in the future and seeing all the young people with their teachers, early years workers and families, enjoying what will be a great new school with nursery provision.”

And Barclay Chalmers, managing director at Barr Construction, revealed: “We are looking forward to beginning work on the redevelopment of the school, which will become a first-class educational facility for East Ayrshire Council and will be warmly welcomed by both staff and pupils.

“We are confident the new school will be a highly-valued community resource as well as a state-of-the-art building with enviable environmental credentials.”