Councillor Clare Steel, chair of educational services at West Dunbartonshire Council and Councillor David McBride, chair of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development, jointly broke the ground at St Joseph’s Primary School where the facility is being built.

The campus will cost £35 million and is being funded through the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Improvement Programme in partnership with Hub West Scotland, architect Holmes Miller and Morrison Construction.

The campus which will include St Joseph’s and Edinbarnet Primary Schools; Auchnacraig and Lennox Early Learning and Childcare Centres; an additional support needs base; education resource centre; community facilities to replace the Skypoint Centre and a new community library.

The grounds will have an all-weather sports pitch and an external Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) for outdoor sports as well as a generous playground to enhance opportunities for physical activity among the pupils.

The buildings will be of a contemporary design and will provide a landmark feature in the heart of Faifley. Materials used will include a palette of high quality, durable and robust materials inspired by the historic Cochno Stone which is a large cup and ring-marked rock sited within Faifley.

Councillor Steel, convener of Educational Services, said: “This new campus will enhance learning for generations of children and young people in Clydebank. The campus will be the most significant capital investment ever made within this community. While the current buildings have served the people of Faifley well, I am pleased to see this investment in the new learning and community facilities which will be a real improvement for the young people and the community as a whole.

“The campus will bring together two primary schools and two early learning and childcare centres and an additional support needs base as well as being home to a community library. I am keen to see work starting on this project which will be welcomed by children and young people. I am keen to see work starting on this project, which will be important not only to children and young people, but to the whole area due to the community spaces available on the site.”

Councillor David McBride, convener of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development, added: “I am delighted to cut the first sod marking the start of building works for the new community campus in Faifley. Today we can now proceed with our ambitious plan of creating the new education and community facilities for the children and community of Faifley. The new campus will bring children together to be educated in first-class facilities which we can be proud of for years to come. I am also pleased the new campus will house a community library which will be a great asset for all to use.”

Stephen Long, senior associate director at Scottish Futures Trust, commented: “The Faifley Campus is a fantastic example of collaboration, bringing together a range of facilities and services to provide the best support for all learners, teachers and the wider community. Scottish Futures Trust recognises the creative, inclusive and ambitious approach of all partners in this project and are delighted it has reached this key milestone.”

Iain Marley, Hub West Scotland’s chief executive said: “We are delighted to see the excellent progress being made on site following an extremely positive pre-construction period with our valued development partner, West Dunbartonshire Council. The new state-of-the-art facility will deliver a range of first-rate education facilities that meet the needs of every child and improve services for local people by co-locating education and community facilities under one roof. The project is already bringing significant value and benefits to the local community and we are committed to ensuring that the project leaves a lasting legacy for the Faifley community.”

The Faifley Campus project will take just over two years to complete.