Kier celebrates start on site at new £8.5m Netherthird Primary School

Kier, a leading provider of construction and infrastructure services, has started on site to deliver a brand-new primary school in Netherthird. Appointed by East Ayrshire Council, Kier will demolish the existing school and construct a two-storey building with state-of-the-art facilities that will provide 278 pupil places.A turf-cutting event was held on Friday to celebrate the start of the project, with representatives from Kier joining Councillor Jim McMahon, Depute Leader of the Council, who performed the official ground-breaking, Linda McAulay-Griffiths, Chief Education Officer and Head of Education and Head Teacher Jemma Donnelly.Procured through the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) framework, this new school is part of East Ayrshire Council’s 10-year Capital Investment Programme and is set to provide a modern learning environment for pupils.The 2199m2 building will feature nine classrooms and four supported learning spaces as well as a new artificial sports pitch, outdoor learning zone and play areas. The building has been carefully designed, with input from local residents and teaching staff, to optimise natural light and will feature a number of sustainable solutions that will support the buildings energy efficiency.The new school is due to complete in autumn 2022 and over the duration of the project, Kier will engage with the local community as part of its commitments to leaving lasting legacies in areas in which it works. Kier pledges to provide:Eight school activity days11 work experience placementsSeven construction careers events157 training weeks on siteThis award is testament to Kier’s experience in the educational sector, with other live projects in Scotland including Ness Castle Primary School in Inverness as well as completed projects, Alness Academy and Queen Margaret Academy.