BAM reaches financial close at Jedburgh Campus

Although advanced works have already begun on site, as marked by Deputy First Minister John Swinney and local school children in June, the financing agreement means that main construction works can continue, and the school is on track to be completed by Spring 2020.

The £32 million educational facility is being delivered by hub South East in partnership with Scottish Borders Council, with BAM Construction appointed as main contractor.

Jedburgh Intergenerational Community Campus will replace all three schools in the town, with provision for nursery, primary and secondary school children alongside further education.

Community facilities will include a multi-use games area, 2G hockey pitch, 3G sports pitch, 100m running track, external changing pavilion and rural skills area.

Works are progressing well on-site, with the completion of the foundations and the start of the erection of the building’s steel frame.

Scott Brown, hub South East’s projects director, said: “Reaching financial close is the latest significant milestone in making the new Jedburgh Campus a reality, so we’re delighted this has been achieved.

“A great deal of work has gone into the development and design of the new Campus and construction works are progressing at pace, with the steel structure already taking shape. The fact that discussions began from a standing start only 18 months ago is demonstrable evidence of what can be achieved when the true partnership working ethos of the Hub initiative is embraced.

“We look forward to continuing this positive working relationship with Scottish Borders Council and our contractor, BAM Construction, to deliver a facility which supports a modern learning experience fit for the needs of all generations.”

Councillor Carol Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for children and young people, said: “I am delighted the Jedburgh Intergenerational Community Campus is progressing so well.

“It will be a huge asset for people of all ages in the Jedburgh area and we are aware of the significant interest in the project. As a result, we will be aiming to keep the community as up to date as possible with the project

“Engagement has been crucial to the project thus far and we will continue to consult the pupils, staff, parents and local community across a number of important aspects of the campus ahead of its opening in 2020.”

Bruce Dickson, regional director, BAM Construction, added: “We have worked hard with our partners at Scottish Borders Council and hub South East to reach financial close on programme and this now unlocks the funding to allow us to build on the excellent progress made on site since we broke ground earlier in the year.

“We are now fully aware that the ‘ball is in our court’ to deliver a high quality project, on time, that the local community and our partners can be proud of.”

Alongside financial close being reached, the consultation process for naming the new campus is set to get underway in coming weeks, with the community of Jedburgh getting a chance to vote on their favoured choice.

In addition, to allow the campus to be fully completed and operational for spring 2020, Scottish Borders Council have decided that pupils and staff from the adjacent Parkside Primary will be temporarily move into Howdenburn Primary and Jedburgh Grammar from summer 2019 until the campus opens.

This is a positive move which means all pupils will be able to start the full academic year in August 2019 in the classes they will continue in at the new campus. The pupils will have the opportunity to work together and get to know each other before they change to the new facility.