Published on:
09
April 2024
The winners of a Council competition which encouraged young people to design an outdoor space for the new Wellbeing Hub and Lochies School in Alloa have been announced.
Two outstanding students from Alloa Academy, Harrison (S6) and Emma (S5) won the top prize - a chance to take part in a work experience placement with the project design team.
The competition was open to pupils in S3-S6 across Clackmannanshire and was run in partnership with FIDA – the Futures Institute at Dollar Academy.
Participants were asked to create a concept design for an inclusive outdoor space that would encourage active lifestyles and foster good health and wellbeing for users with diverse needs.
Every participant who met all aspects of the brief, including sustainability and biodiversity considerations, received a Certificate of Achievement.
Alloa Academy, which had a number of strong entrants, was offered the chance to host a half-day workshop, where eight shortlisted candidates – including the eventual winners Harrison and Emma –met and worked Nik Shala from JM Architects and Kirsty Knott from Rankin Fraser.
Councillor Scott Harrison, spokesperson for sports, leisure and active living, said: “This competition offered our young people a unique opportunity to get involved in one of the Council’s most exciting projects to date.
“I’d like to offer my congratulations to all the young people who took part, and in particular, Harrison and Emma. The overall standard was really high, and it made judging a difficult task.”
Ian Munro, Rector of Dollar Academy and founder of FIDA, said: “Once again, it has been a pleasure to collaborate with the Council and other schools in Clackmannanshire to deliver this exciting competition. It has been inspiring to see the students engage in shaping a key facility that will benefit the local community, and I am pleased to see their hard work rewarded.”
The Wellbeing Hub, which will include swimming pools, games halls and leisure areas, is to be built alongside a new Lochies School for children and young people with severe and complex needs, at The Pavilions in Alloa West.
The project is being managed for Clackmannanshire Council by hub East Central Scotland with Robertson as the main contractor, JM Architects, Blyth & Blyth civil and structural engineers and BakerHicks mechanical and electrical engineers.
For updates on the progress of the development visit https://www.clacks.gov.uk/leisure/wellbeing or email wellbeinghub@clacks.gov.uk