Progress made at flagship campus for Clackmannanshire Council

The facility has started to become wind and watertight with sections of the internal fit-out already underway.

When complete, Clackmannanshire residents will be able to access a range of state-of-the-art leisure and wellbeing spaces and the pupils and staff of Lochies will move into their new home within the impressive facility.

One of many significant milestones achieved so far this summer was the completion of the steel frame construction, and a steel signing took place at the site with the Leader of the Council, Cllr Ellen Forson, Spokesperson for People Cllr Graham Lindsay, Chief Executive Nikki Bridle and key partners all signing a commemorative steel plaque.

The new campus will include swimming pools, fitness suites, games hall, soft play, climbing, conference and meeting facilities and a new public park, alongside contemporary classrooms and specialist facilities for Lochies School pupils. 

Community spaces, café, outdoor play and social spaces, flexible rooms for social prescribing, learning and cultural activities will further strengthen the Hub’s role in promoting health and wellbeing and community life.

The Wellbeing Hub and Lochies School will also be one of the first large scale community facilities in Scotland to be built to Passivhaus Standards, significantly reducing operational energy costs and carbon emissions. The project reflects the Council’s commitment to transformation and to achieving Net Zero by 2040.

A programme of benefits for communities throughout Clackmannanshire is an important part of the project delivery. These include:

• Employability Programme - opportunities for local people to attain employment, training and placements. With a target of 20 full-time equivalent posts, this number is expected to grow significantly as a wider range of contractors are brought to site for the internal fit out and landscaping.
• Skills Academy - this will bring students, pupils and local people to site to learn about construction techniques with pathways to education through Forth Valley College pre-qualification programme, or employment through the employability programme.
• Ideal Candidate Programme - qualification available for high school pupils with an interest in moving into a construction career, including site access.
• Donations and in-kind contributions - Robertson is committed to making contributions to local groups. Activities so far include selection box donation to a community group, donations of pallets to an allotment and play PPE to a local nursery.
• Robertson Reporters - the Social Impact team is visiting primary schools throughout Clackmannanshire to provide an overview of the project. Pupils then visit the project and interview site staff, reporting back to their school and families with information on the project.

Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group, said: “Works are progressing well and the scale of the project is now clearly visible.

“The development has wellbeing at its core and not only represents the largest infrastructure investment that the council has made, but also its commitment to sustainable development.

“Our shared belief in the importance of sustainability reaches beyond the Passivhaus certification and into the community. We are working with local supply chain partners to keep as much spend as possible local and are supporting the development of skills and creation of employment to ensure that the delivery of the project leaves a tangible legacy in the communities it will serve.”

Cllr Graham Lindsay, Clackmannanshire Council’s spokesperson for People, said: “Now that such impressive progress has been made in the build, with the structure of the building so advanced and the creation of the internal facilities ready to begin, Clackmannanshire’s landmark facility is really coming to life.

“People who visit the viewing area on-site, or who see the latest photos have told me how impressed they are with the progress achieved, how excited they are about this state-of-the-art facility, and can’t wait for it to open.

“This is our biggest infrastructure investment in over 40 years and will deliver tremendous benefits for the health and wellbeing of our Clackmannanshire residents for generations to come. I can’t wait to see it come to life over the next year.”

Cllr Ellen Forson, Leader of Clackmannanshire Council, said: “This is another significant milestone for a project that will have a lasting impact on Clackmannanshire for generations to come. Seeing the scale of the development taking shape really brings home the ambition behind this investment and the opportunities it will create for our communities.

“What makes this project particularly special is the way it is already delivering benefits locally through employment, skills development and community engagement, alongside creating a modern, sustainable facility that people across Clackmannanshire will be proud of.”

The project is being managed for Clackmannanshire Council by hub East Central Scotland Ltd with Robertson Construction as the main contractor in collaboration with JM Architects, Rankin Fraser, Blyth & Blyth, Baker Hicks, ECD Architects, and Egis. 

Brian Craig, Chief Executive, hub East Central Scotland, said: “It is impressive to see how well the project is moving forward and the external structure now gives the local community real perspective on the significance of the new building. When completed, it will provide an invaluable lasting asset for the area.”

The project has strategic support from sportscotland who have committed £500,000 of capital funding towards the project.

Forbes Dunlop, sportscotland Chief Executive, said: “This is a significant milestone for the communities of Clackmannanshire. The new campus will have a hugely positive impact for people in the area and will greatly increase sporting opportunities. We look forward to seeing the project’s progress over the coming months.”

Group image shows L-R: Brian Thomson, Managing Director, JM Architects; Craig Fraser, Associate Director, Scottish Futures Trust; Brian Craig Chief Executive, hub East Central Scotland; Councillor Ellen Forson, Leader, Clackmannanshire Council; Nikki Bridle Chief Executive, Clackmannanshire Council; Councillor Graham Lindsay, Spokesperson for People, Clackmannanshire Council; Forbes Dunlop Chief Executive, sportscotland; Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group; David Cairns, Regional Managing Director, Robertson Construction Central East