Royal opening for Deafblind Scotland’s new learning and development centre

Deafblind Scotland’s new learning and development centre in Lenzie has been officially opened by The Princess Royal.

The centre was constructed by Clark Contracts, the construction, refurbishment and maintenance contractor with their appointed design team Austin-Smith:Lord and Charles Scott & Partners.

The 7,000 square foot building, commissioned by leading charity Deafblind Scotland, is acoustically neutral with sound and light absorbing surfaces.



Initially called ‘The Field of Dreams’, the £2m centre features an arts facility, IT room and recording studio which will be a daily resource for more than 800 Deafblind Scotland members who are severely dual sensory impaired.

Clark Contracts worked closely with Deafblind Scotland and their project manager Hg Consulting to value engineer the project to a cost and specification suitable to Deafblind Scotland.

Ruth Dorman, chief executive, Deafblind Scotland, said: “Clark Contracts and their design team have been instrumental in the delivery of the project with a hands on and approachable attitude. The team made the language of construction accessible to us all at Deafblind Scotland which in turn made the process inclusive for everyone.”

Michael Scanlan, director, Clark Contracts, said: “We have enjoyed working with Deafblind Scotland and our Design Team to deliver this important project that we hope will provide valuable facilities for deafblind people across Scotland for many years to come.”



Andrew McCafferty, director, Austin-Smith:Lord said: “This was an immensely satisfying project being part of Clark Contracts’ team, working within the constraints of budget and demanding timescale to provide a positive learning and teaching environment for Deafblind Scotland and the community that also achieves a significant presence within it’s locality.”


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