CONSTRUCTION works have begun on a new £32 million Intergenerational Learning Campus in Jedburgh, writes Reagan MacQueen.

Working with Scottish Borders Council’s development partner Hub South East Scotland and appointed main conductor BAM, this initial stage of the project began in April and is set to be completed in September when the main school building contract will commence.

Borders-based contractor RJT Excavations Ltd will be involved with these early works.

The start of the enabling works means the project is on track to be opened to learners by March 2020.

The Jedburgh intergenerational community campus will replace Jedburgh Grammar, Howdenburn and Parkside primary schools, and will be located on land at Hartrigge Park.

The campus will have provision for nursery, primary and secondary school children, and community facilities will include a multi-use games area, 2G hockey pitch, 3G sports pitch, running track, external changing pavilion and rural skills area.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney confirmed the funding for the campus in august 2017, as one of four projects to share £28million from the latest phase of the Scottish Government’s £1.8billion “Schools for the future” programme.

SBC’s leader, Shona Haslam said: “The start of enabling works is another step towards the creation of this innovative new facility for Jedburgh.

“It is good to see we are on track for a March 2020 opening, and it is excellent news that we have a local firm involved with the project at this stage, supporting the local economy.

“This development will serve the whole community, from two to 102 year olds, with further education opportunities and community facilities for the town.”

Carol Hampton, SBC’s executive member for children and young people added: “Jedburgh Intergenerational Learning Campus will not only provide a single learning space for 2-18 year olds but will have potential to support learning opportunities for older learners and will be a wider community resource as well.

“I believe this facility will be a real asset to Jedburgh and look forward to seeing the campus progress.”

Hub South East project director, Scott Brown said: “It’s great to see work progressing through Jedburgh. As a Hub project we are keen to ensure that a range of community benefits are realised throughout the build.

"It’s fantastic to see Jedburgh based RTJ Excavations is already benefiting from the opportunities available and we look forward, in partnership with our contractor BAM Construction, to ensuring that even more local individuals and businesses can get involved during the delivery of this exciting project.”