Building work re-starts at two major school projects

Building work is re-starting at two major school projects in Carmarthenshire after it was temporarily put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

After careful consideration and in line with Welsh Government guidance, the council has agreed with contractor Lloyd and Gravell to recommence works at the new school site for Ysgol Rhys Prichard and Ysgol Gorslas.

Ysgol Rhys Prichard is relocating to the former Ysgol Pantycelyn secondary school site and will have an increased capacity of 240 pupils with an integrated Cylch Meithrin and separate play area. Costing £4.3million, the new school will accommodate a large hall which can be shared with the community, a rugby pitch, multi-use games area and hard and soft play areas. It is hoped that the project can still be completed by Spring 2021.

A total of £6.8million is also being invested at Ysgol Gorslas to provide a new, 210 pupil capacity school building on land at Gorslas park, kindly gifted by Gorslas Community Council. The scheme will provide space to accommodate nursery provision and facilities which can be shared by the community such as a large hall, school field and a multi-use games area. It is hoped the new school building can still be completed by Autumn 2021.

Both projects have been part-funded between the council and the Welsh Government through the 21st Century Schools initiative.

Executive Board Member for Education Cllr Glynog Davies said: “Recommencing works will protect valuable jobs in the construction sector and lay the foundation for Carmarthenshire’s economic recovery from this crisis.

“It is also important that work starts back so that we can complete these projects as soon as possible to provide the high-quality learning facilities which meets the needs of both pupils and teachers. We are committed to investing in our children’s future and with everything that our children and teaching staff are enduring at present it is great to have some good news which will hopefully give everyone a boost.

“Please be assured this decision has been made following careful consideration and only because we are satisfied that works can be undertaken safely and in compliance with all the relevant guidance.”

Lloyd and Gravell were one of the contractors involved in the field hospital projects in Carmarthenshire which saw Llanelli and Carmarthen Leisure Centres, the Selwyn Samuel Centre and Parc y Scarlets converted into temporary hospitals to provide additional bed space for the NHS.