Official opening ceremony of the new early learning and childcare (ELC) building at Milton of Leys Primary School in Inverness
An opening ceremony celebrating the new early learning and childcare (ELC) building at Milton of Leys Primary School has taken place today with the school community and councillors.
The new building has capacity for 96 children and provides after-school care for the school as a whole.
Cllr Ken Gowans, the vice convener of the council and local ward member, said: "This facility will be a great asset for the community. It has taken a sustained effort to get to this point and I would like to thank all those who have contributed, especially the parents in Milton of Leys."
The purpose-built facility comprises two large nursery rooms; a kitchen and servery; a flexible space for dining and other activities; reception foyer and offices; toilets, storage, and other ancillary accommodation.
Externally, there is a secure play area and improvements made to road access and parking. The existing nursery rooms in the main building have been converted to two primary classrooms to provide additional capacity for the school in the coming years.
Cllr Glynis Sinclair, the chairwoman of the housing and property committee, said: “The new ELC building at Milton of Leys Primary School is an excellent space which is flexible to meet the daily needs of the children. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this project; it is a vital space which will be utilised by the community as it continues to grow.”
The construction works were project managed by Highland Council’s property team. The main contractor was Morrison Construction, assisted by a design team consisting of Colin Armstrong Associates, HGA (UK) Ltd, Pick Everard.
Cllr John Finlayson, the chairman of the education committee, said: “I am delighted that we have another location which has a brand-new building for ELC provision. This purpose-built facility will enable us to deliver on providing a quality learning environment for our nursery children and allows us to meet the requirements of the Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) expansion programme.”
The new nursery was handed over in time for the new summer term.
