The first foundations at the new Harris Academy have been laid, Dundee Council has confirmed.

The £31m replacement building is being carried out as a joint venture partnership between hub East Central Scotland (hubCo) and contractor Robertson Construction Group.

The project will see a new school constructed on the site of the 1931 building. Demolition of the original building was completed at the beginning of the year, but original features such as the clock tower and the stone entrance portico have been retained and will be reused in the new construction. Work on the ambitious project is due to be completed in 2016.

-- Advertisement --

On Thursday (27 March), concrete was poured on the first foundations of the school's new games hall.

Alasdair Allan, Minister for Learning, attended the event and said: "The Scottish Government is committed to delivering good quality, well designed, sustainable schools through the Schools for the Future programme.

"I am pleased that we could contribute just over £20 million in funding for the construction of Harris Academy which will provide state of the art accommodation for around 1,200 pupils."

Neil McCormick, Chief Executive, hub East Central Scotland, added: "We are proud to be working in partnership with Dundee City Council and Robertson on the development of the new Harris Academy.

"On completion in 2016, this world class facility will be a milestone for historic alumni and present students, not to mention the scores of apprenticeships, training and career development placements which will have been delivered through this contract."

(JP)