Bridge to the Future for Dumfries Learners

Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Children Young People and Lifelong Learning Committee (3 February 2017) will be updated on progress in delivering the final project in the first phase of the Dumfries Learning Town, The Bridge, which is to be built on the site of the disused bowling green at George V Sports Complex close to the Cuckoo Bridge retail park.

The Council is investing more than £10.5 million in The Bridge building which will have a floor area of 4,000 square metres. It will be a unique facility delivering learning opportunities beyond those offered in traditional settings such as schools, college and universities and at times outside the normal academic day and year. In addition to school age pupils, The Bridge will also be available to individuals and groups from the community who wish to develop new skills, take forward initiatives and enterprises, meet as special interest groups or hold performances or private functions. Construction is expected to start at the end of March with completion and occupation in October 2018

At the Committee meeting, members will be informed of pre-construction progress and receive a presentation on the latest designs for the project. They will also be asked to delegate authority to the CYPLL Director and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to sign the design and build development agreement on behalf of the Council within the agreed funding package.

Councillor Jeff Leaver, Chair of the CYPLL committee, said: “Providing the best start in life for all our children is a Council priority. We want our young people to achieve their maximum potential from education. This means that we must create environments that stimulate and encourage learning. So, our Council is investing more than £71million in phase 1 of the Dumfries Learning Town, which will offer first class, state-of-the art education facilities. Feedback from pupils tells us that they are eagerly looking forward to their new improved schools. We are very pleased at the progress which is now being made and I have written to the Education Secretary, John Swinney, inviting him to visit the region to see the sites for himself and also the new Learning Campus at Dalbeattie. We would also take the opportunity to discuss our plans for phase 2 of the Dumfries Learning Town Project which we very much hope the Scottish Government will support. ”