More than 1,200 Forfar Academy pupils could be in their new £24 million school by the start of 2016.
The “extremely ambitious” timetable has been detailed in a new report which sets out the consultation response to the plan for a new secondary school and leisure hub in the town, costing almost £35m in total, and seeks councillor approval to move into top gear with the scheme.
Angus Council officials admit they are facing major challenges in realising the Forfar dream, in terms of both timing and finance, but education committee councillors will be assured that extra resources and every possible effort is being thrown at the project to replace the century-old town baths and its much newer but, nevertheless, outdated senior school.
The proposal includes provision for a 1,270-pupil secondary and associated facilities, including drama and performance space and vocational learning accommodation.
Sporting pursuits will be catered for by a six-lane, 25-metre pool, with a large games hall, gymnasium, dance studio, fitness suite and associated changing room provision.
In the report the council’s new strategic director-people, Margo Williamson, sets out the public consultation reaction to the scheme for the existing Forfar Academy campus site, including two public meetings which drew a turnout of around 100 people.
Key themes to emerge included integration of school/community use, learning and teaching accommodation, staff areas, transport links and general management arrangements.
The report states: “The consultation exercise has clearly demonstrated that the significant body of feedback would appear to thoroughly support the community campus approach.
“Some community concerns relate to the location of the campus and neighbours have indicated anxieties relating to the how the existing site may be redeveloped.
The director added: “The community has also identified the potential forimproved public transport arrangements to support access to the campus, while the opportunity to improve current challenges in Taylor Street outside the school at main pupil movement times appears to be welcomed.”
The authority has said that worries over the future of the swimming pool and Lochside leisure centre buildings are not insurmountable.
The ambition is to dispose of them on a “cost-neutral position at worst” but say up to £150,000 could be found to fund the wrecking ball if demolition is required.
“Notwithstanding those issues, the significant opportunity to have modern, purpose-designed facilities to support and enhance learning and teaching has also clearly been acknowledged and embraced by a wide spectrum of the community,” continued the director.
“Positive feedback has also been received in relation to the potential for improved partnership working to increase and support new/improved opportunities in relation to lifelong learning, the pursuit of various sports/leisure activities and engagement in community life generally.”
This week’s report will also seek approval for the director to procure the project on a hub design, build, finance and maintain model.
Significant grant support is being made available to the authority but officials have warned that could be under threat if targets, including the start of construction in March 2014, are not met.
The director has also said the council’s share of the project could rise above the £15.1 million allocated to the authority’s financial plan but the risk of that has been deemed “low”.
A master-plan exercise is set to be undertaken to determine the exact positioning of the new buildings on the 35-acre Academy site.
Construction phase estimates have also been cut by five months to a total of 28 months overall, including demolition of the old school by July 2016.
“The migration to the new campus building is now planned to occur over the Christmas/New Year period 2015/16,” stated the director.
“Robust management arrangements will be developed to ensure that learning and teaching during this time is given paramount importance, in terms of minimising any disruption.”