Bearsden Primary School in Bearsden looks picture perfect following the recent completion of £2.3m refurbishment works.
In September last year, the Council agreed to proceed with a list of cost-effective remedial works on the iconic school building* which sits behind the war memorial at Bearsden Cross. The project was delivered in partnership with SCAPE Scotland and contractors McLaughlin & Harvey.
Works began in early January this year and since then four new boilers have been installed and all windows have been replaced. The building now boasts new storm doors at the main and side entrances to the school and extensive stonework repairs have been carried out. External restoration works revealed original lettering on the west elevation of the building which refers to the school’s previous name ‘Bearsden Academy’ and on the advice of Historic Environment Scotland, the original lettering has been restored. In addition, a beautiful feature window displaying the school’s logo has been installed at the front of the school.
Council Leader, Councillor Gordan Low, visited the school to see the finished result and to thank officers and partners for delivering the project.
Councillor Low, said, “Bearsden Primary School is one of the oldest school buildings in East Dunbartonshire and required significant restoration works to ensure it remained fit for purpose as an educational facility for local children. The investment in new windows, replacement boilers and stonework repairs were vital to ensure the safety and health and wellbeing of our pupils, teachers and staff.
“I am really pleased to see these restoration works completed in such a short space of time and that pupils and staff are benefiting from the improvements as they work and learn within the school.”
The whole community and visitors to the area can also enjoy the impressive aesthetic benefits of the external restorative work which has greatly enhanced one of Bearsden’s most iconic buildings
The refurbishment project was delivered by East Dunbartonshire Council in partnership with McLaughlin & Harvey Construction Ltd and SCAPE Scotland.
Chris Boyle, Framework Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, said, “We have completed our transformational works at Bearsden Primary School, marking another successful project for East Dunbartonshire Council through the SCAPE Framework.
“It has been a pleasure working alongside the council and the school’s senior management team. The nature of the works in a live primary school environment has meant that a much higher degree of coordination and collaboration was required to minimise disruption to the school's staff and pupils, and this has been evident in the project's success.
“The culture of partnership, understanding and flexibility built between all partners has been fantastic. A big thank-you to all involved.”
Gary Meechan, Head of Framework Scotland at SCAPE Scotland, said, “We are delighted to have been able to support East Dunbartonshire Council in the efficient and effective delivery of the works at the impressive Bearsden Primary School building. The quality and efficiency of the delivery within the live environment is a testament to McLaughlin & Harvey’s early collaboration, advice and expertise that our frameworks enable, adding to the number of projects they have successfully delivered for the Council.”
*The listed building was constructed around 1910-11 and is of a neo-Baroque and Beaux Arts Style, designed by James M. Monro & Sons. It was built as New Kilpatrick Higher Grade School before being named Bearsden Academy in 1920. In 1958 the school became Bearsden Primary School. Find out more on the Historic Environment Scotland website.
