Work has started on the construction of the new primary schools for Kingsland at Neidpath Grazings and Lauder at Allanbank in the Scottish Borders.
Graham is main contractor on both projects and will manage the projects from it’s office at Newtown St Boswells. Speaking about the projects, Bert McCulloch, Project Director, said: “We are delighted to be main contractor on the Borders Primary Schools Project and to reinforce our existing relationship with Scottish Borders Council. We look forward to working together to ensure the delivery of high quality educational facilities, of which we can all be proud.”
Cllr Catriona Bhatia, Executive Member for Education, said “It was tremendous to be on site and watch work begin. These state of the art schools will bring wonderful facilities for pupils, staff and their communities. The designs, developed with the help of headteachers, staff and pupils, have a real sense of place that are enhanced by their glorious settings. I am sure that they will provide inspirational learning environments for generations to come.”
Council Leader Cllr David Parker added: “Today is a historic step forward in meeting this administration’s ambitious action plan to invest more than £150m in new and improved schools in the Borders. Our commitment to ensure a bright future for our communities, children and young people in the Borders will continue as we work to provide better schools and enable our rural schools to flourish. “
The new Lauder Primary School (value £4.4m) is due to open in October 2009, with the much bigger Kingsland Primary School (value £6.1m) due to open a few months later. Graham is also part of the SBEP consortium that is building three new high schools at Eyemouth, Duns and Earlston.