Ogilvie Construction has reached a significant milestone in the construction of a new £10 million community hub in Inverclyde, designed to support adults and young people with learning disabilities.

The foundations of the building are now complete, and work is progressing on the timber frame structure, with the project on track for handover next year.

The facility, being built for Inverclyde Council/HSCP, will accommodate up to 50 adults and young people with learning disabilities and autism, with additional scope for broader community use. It will replace the existing Fitzgerald Centre in Greenock and the former McPherson Centre in Gourock.

Grier Edmead, Operations Director at Ogilvie Construction, commented on the progress: "We've made excellent progress on the build since site operations started in December last year. The next phase will see the timber frame rising before moving on to external structural work and internal fit out. We look forward to handing over a first-class purpose-built facility next year."

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Councillor Francesca Brennan, chair of Inverclyde Council's social work and social care scrutiny panel and vice-chair of the IJB, acknowledged the collaborative effort: "Good progress is being made on the construction of the new adult community hub and it's thanks to strong partnership working between the council/HSCP and our partners." Iain Marley, chief executive of hubWest Scotland, added that "laying the foundations marks a major milestone in delivering this much-anticipated learning and community hub."

The design of the new hub draws inspiration from Greenock's famous Sugar Sheds for its exterior, while the internal layout and external landscaping have been developed through extensive consultation with learning disability staff, service users, and their families. A key aim is to provide an enhanced sensory experience for users with complex needs, including those with co-existing conditions such as autism, visual and perceptual impairments, physical and sensory disabilities, dementia, and life-limiting conditions. Careful consideration has been given to materials, texture, colour, and noise to create an optimal environment.

Another central focus of the project is achieving enhanced energy efficiencies and a low operational carbon footprint, with roof-mounted solar panels incorporated to help offset emissions.