The new William McIlvanney learning campus in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire (Scotland), has recently reached financial close. The campus will be located on the existing site of James Hamilton Academy and New Farm Primary and Early Childhood Centre on Sutherland Drive.

In December 2015, the council approved the total project costs of £45.3 million (US$63 million). 

The project has been financed by a £44.7 million debt facility provided by Nord LB.

Therefore, the next step on the William McIlvanney Campus will be the start of construction work, which is expected in the next few weeks. The campus will be developed by hub South West Scotland with construction being undertaken by Kier Construction.

hub South West comprises several public sector organizations (Scottish Futures Trust (10%, East Ayrhsire Council (10%)) and a consortium of private sector partners composed of Equitix Holdings Ltd (36%) and Kier Project Investments Ltd. (24%) and Hub Community Foundation (20%).

The facility will be provided by East Ayrshire Council, which is one of the associate councils to the hub South West Scotland. The complex is expected to begin operations in 2018.

Councillor Douglas Reid, leader of East Ayrshire Council, said:

“This ambitious education project is great news for the young people and communities of Kilmarnock. We are committed to giving our young people the best possible start in life and this new campus will ensure they have access to the kind of facilities and learning environments they need as they progress through the different stages of the education curriculum and eventually into employment.”

David MacDonald, hub program director at Scottish Futures Trust, said:

“The Hub programme is an innovative approach to develop and deliver best-value community facilities which provides public bodies with a quick, efficient and value for money way of getting their projects into construction and helps secure and sustain local employment. I’m naturally delighted that construction of the William McIlvanney Campus will start very soon and look forward to seeing pupils and the community benefit when it opens.”

Michael McBrearty, chief executive at hub South West Scotland, added:

“We are delighted to be collaborating with East Ayrshire Council and appointed contractor Kier Construction on this significant and innovative new facility.The William McIlvanney Campus project will generate substantial employment, growth and investment at a local level, whilst creating the infrastructure to support the ongoing education of the young people of Kilmarnock and the surrounding area. We appointed Kier Construction as the contractor on this new project as they have demonstrated a high level of commitment to delivering quality facilities whilst providing opportunities for the benefit of the local economy.”

Brian McQuade, managing director of Kier Construction’s Scotland & north-east England business, said:

“We are looking forward to working together with East Ayrshire Council and our partners to create a first-class learning campus that will deliver lasting benefits for the pupils and the Kilmarnock community. Education is one of Kier’s specialist areas and we have an enviable track record in delivering similar projects in the sector. This is a significant investment into the East Ayrshire economy and we look forward to working with the local community and providing valuable employment and training opportunities for suppliers and subcontractors based here.”