New £36m Ellon Academy build to begin in June

WORK will begin later this month on the new £36 million secondary school campus to replace Ellon Academy in Aberdeenshire, it was announced today.

An artist's impression of the new school. Picture: Soluis Architects

The new Ellon Academy Community Campus at Cromleybank is expected to be completed by August 2015. The innovative school and community campus will include a 1,200-capacity school, five-lane swimming pool, an Outreach Centre, and community, learning and development facilities.

Proposals for the new school campus also include plans for a new footbridge across the River Ythan, to improve links with the town centre.

Councillor Jim Gifford, the chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s Policy and Resources Committee, said: “This is an exciting project for pupils, parents, teachers and the wider Ellon community. I am glad that the plans are progressing on schedule and look forward to seeing the new community campus in 2015.”

Committee vice-chair, Councillor Martin Kitts-Hayes, explained: “This project is part of our wider Capital Works Programme which is investing heavily in schools over the coming years to ensure our educational facilities are built and maintained at the highest possible standard.”

The construction contract has been awarded to FMP Joint Venture Ltd. FMP Director, Raymond Millar, said: “It is an outstanding project in a challenging environment. We recognise that this building project is more than just a school, and we are committed to engaging with the wider community as part of the delivery of this first-class facility.”