Graham Construction is to begin work on a new community facility project in Dumfries and Galloway.

'The Bridge' development is being built on the disused former bowling green at the King George V site in Dumfries.

As a community facility, it will deliver lifelong learning needs for learners across the region, providing learning opportunities beyond those found in traditional education settings such as schools, colleges and universities.

It will combine school, theatre, cinema, dance studio, lecture and study space, model restaurant, and craft centre and will evolve as demands emerge. In addition, the facility will be available to individuals and groups o develop new skills, take forward initiatives and enterprises, meet as special interest groups, stage performances, or hold private functions.

The scheme is being carried out as part of the Dumfries Learning Town programme, a multi-million pound project to transform educational facilities.

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The council has invested more than £71m in the first phase of the programme, with £54m funded directly by the local authority and £17m funded by the Scottish Government through its Scotland's Schools for the Future programme.

Council Leader Ronnie Nicholson said: "The start of work on The Bridge is the final piece in phase one of the transformation of education in Dumfries. Not only does this development bring together academic and vocational opportunities in Dumfries under one roof it, The Bridge is being developed right in the heart of North West Dumfries, showing the ambition the Council has to support that community and the whole of our town.

"The next challenge will be to move onto phase two, which will include the refurbishment of Dumfries Academy and a new Dumfries High School, completing what will be the biggest ever investment in education in Dumfries."

Gary Holmes, Regional Director for Graham, said: "Developing emerging talent is at the heart of our company's ethos and The Bridge will play an important role in progressing this. We're proud to be participating and working alongside our partners to make this a reality."

Michael McBrearty, Hub South West Chief Executive, said: "Dumfries Learning Town is an exciting and ambitious project that hub South West is thrilled to be a part of. With work to modernise St Joseph's College and develop the new NorthWest Campus well underway, phase 1 of the Dumfries Learning Town is progressing well. The Bridge is a modern and innovative approach to supporting learning for youngsters in the Dumfries area."

The project is scheduled to be complete by winter 2018/19.

(LM/CD)