The start of real work on Forfar’s new £38 million community campus was marked at what was described as a “fantastic” location on the north edge of the town.
Cabinet secretary for infrastructure, investment and cities Keith Brown visited Forfar on Friday to cut the first sod on the development which will replace the half-century old academy adjacent with a state-of-the-art secondary, and create new leisure features including a six-lane swimming pool in place of the town’s 105-year-old Vennel baths.
The site is being developed by Angus Council in partnership with the Hub East Central Scotland which the council can use to deliver community projects.
Mr Brown said: “This ceremony is an important and exciting milestone for the new Forfar community campus.
“The Scottish Government’s £20.9 million Schools for the Future funding to Angus Council for the new Forfar Academy will provide a fantastic educational facility that will serve the local community for generations to come.”
Council education convener Sheena Welsh said: “The campus approach allows us to bring together a range of enhanced services and spaces designed for use both during and outwith the school day by the whole community.
“We want young people in Angus to be educated in learning facilities that are fit for the 21st Century and this new community campus is the latest in a series of improvements progressed by the council.”
The new building is scheduled to welcome pupils and the wider community in February 2017.
Kevin Dickson, regional managing director at Robertson Group, said: “It is a privilege for Robertson to be involved in such an important project for the area and we are looking forward to working with our partners and the local community as the new campus takes shape.”
Hub East Central Scotland chief executive Gary Bushnell said: “This project is a shining example of our focus on the delivery on sustainable community facilities, using our expertise to achieve best value.
“It is one of 42 ongoing projects, together valued at over £500 million, that Hub East Central Scotland is delivering across Angus, Tayside, Forth Valley, Fife, and Perthshire.”
Grant Robertson, associate director at Scottish Futures Trust said: “Work on the campus will also be welcome news to many SMEs in the building industry.”