Completed as part of our new council housing development at Petersburn Road, Airdrie, a new eco unit is bringing outdoor learning to life, enhancing pupils’ learning of the natural environment. 

Our contractor, McTaggart Construction, worked with St Dominic’s Primary School which is located next to the new housing development supporting their ambition to have an outdoor area for learning. The multi-purpose space will act as a base for the Eco-club and an additional room for art and music. 

In addition to the outdoor area, the school required suitable learning equipment. Soil Engineering, the council’s City Deal Contractor, provided this community benefit together with other materials to furnish the unit, making it a fun place to learn. 

Letitia O'Rourke, Acting Head Teacher, St Dominic's Primary and Nursery said: "We are very grateful for the donation of the outdoor classroom from McTaggart Construction and the outdoor learning equipment from Soil Engineering. It will allow all our pupils the opportunity to engage in outdoor learning activities more readily. This will offer us numerous benefits, impacting cognitive, social, emotional and physical wellbeing. Our pupils are already more motivated to develop their understanding of the natural world." 

Further collaboration with New College Lanarkshire saw two level 1 joinery students design, build, fit and paint the outdoor step at the site to improve access. 

Housing Convener, Councillor Michael McPake, explained how community benefits work. He said: “When agreeing our new build contracts with housing developers we secure a range of benefits to be delivered across our local communities. These benefits can help boost local employment and skills, provide opportunities for local people and businesses, and support community initiatives. The project at St. Dominic’s is an excellent example of how we’re putting communities at the heart of our house building plans.” 

Ross Hammell, CSR Manager, McTaggart Construction added: “McTaggart are delighted to have been able to provide the cabin to St Dominic’s as part of our wider Community benefit programme. This was aligned to our goals of providing tangible benefit to the local area beyond the bricks and mortar of high quality NLC new build affordable housing. Providing the portacabin, is aligned to our educational outreach goals as it will support outdoor and alternative learning in the school and hopefully inspire the next generation of the construction workforce.” 

Garry Kennedy, Contracts Manager, Soil Engineering (Coatbridge) said: “When we visited St Dominic’s Primary School & Nursery in Airdrie, we were overwhelmed to find the whole school out in the playground to greet us. I was happy to represent SEGL in handing over a cheque to the school for £2000 for the Outdoor Learning Group for outdoor materials and furniture, which were set up in the playground." 

Brian Biggar, Construction Lecturer, New College Lanarkshire said: “Two of our level 1 Joinery students have just completed the installation of the step to outdoor recourse room at St Dominic Primary School. Both students were grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate their ability within the community and helping others.”