Multimillion-pound plans to build a new primary school and nursery in Inverness – and refurbish the existing Victorian building into a modern family centre – were unveiled to the public yesterday.
The designs for a “Merkinch education campus”, which include a two-storey, 16-class school and nursery, were displayed at a public consultation held within the current 19th century building.
The proposals, along with those for the family centre, were welcomed by members of the public who braved horrendous weather to view them.
The plans include a new four-court sports complex, an artificial football pitch and a multi-use outdoor sports area, improved parking and a drop-off area, as well as courtyard space.
The cramped 400-pupil school is currently 40 pupils over capacity, meaning a number of children and staff are working in temporary classrooms.
Inverness Central Councillor Bet McAllister said: “It looks fantastic and will be a massive facility for the community.
“It is very much needed and long overdue as the current building is much too small for its current use.
“Getting all the education facilities in one place will be a great benefit for children and their families in the area.”
Highland Council architect Clare Kemsley said: “The great advantage about this development is that each facility – the nursery, school, family centre and sports area will all have their own entrances.
“The school and nursery would be closed at night, while the other parts can still be used during the evening.”
The first phase of the development would be construction of the new school next to the current building, and then the sports area.
Once that is complete and the pupils have moved in, the next phase would be complete refurbishment of the 19th century building for the family centre.
A planning application is expected to go before Highland Councillors in the spring.
It is hoped the new school building will be complete by 2020.
The current Victorian-era school, which sits to the west of the River Ness, has provided primary education for youngsters in the South Kessock, Carse and Merkinch area since 1876.