Pupils at St Kevin’s Primary School enjoyed their first day in their new home on Friday 8 May.
The new £17.3 million St Kevin’s Community Hub in Bargeddie is a welcoming space where local families can learn, connect, grow and thrive together.
The hub includes an eight-class primary school with capacity for 242 pupils. The building also provides general-purpose spaces such as a family and nurture room, drama box, cooking lab and e-learning zone. Pupils were keen to explore their new classrooms and shared spaces as they settled into the building for the first time.
It offers bright, spacious accommodation alongside high-quality indoor and outdoor facilities that promote learning, play and physical activity.
Classrooms open out into a shared activity space with a range of booths and furniture designed to support different learning needs, styles and activities.
“It has been a privilege to welcome our school community to this wonderful new facility,” said Mrs Pauline Doran, Acting Head Teacher.
“The school has been thoughtfully designed to inspire both teaching and learning. Surrounded by nature and enriched by beautiful open spaces, the new campus offers an inclusive and engaging environment for the entire community—one that will nurture curiosity, inspire creativity and empower every child to thrive and reach their full potential.”
The new development also includes a forest school area, a gym hall and a multi-use games area, which will be available for community use outside of the school day.
As well as providing a new home for pupils, the community hub will be an important asset for the wider Bargeddie community, including the two-court gym hall, which will be available for lets in the evenings and at weekends.
Convener of Education Councillor Michael McBride and local councillors Kevin Docherty, Lesley Mitchell and Gary Robinson visited the new hub on Monday 11 May.
“It was great to visit yet another new outstanding community facility delivered by North Lanarkshire Council,” said Councillor Michael McBride, Convener of Education, Children and Families.
“And I’d like to wish all pupils and staff at St Kevin’s all the very best for the future as they begin a fresh chapter in their wonderful new home,”
“The building will provide first-class educational and community facilities and clearly illustrates our ambition for communities across North Lanarkshire.
“The hub will be an important asset for the wider Bargeddie community, offering practical support, trusted guidance and activities for all ages.
“Our community spaces are here for everyone to use, helping to make everyday life a little easier and supporting more connected communities.”
The new hub has been designed in close consultation with pupils and local people, groups and organisations.
Lucas a P7 pupil said: “The best thing about the new facilities are the running track, cafeteria and the wilderness area.”
St Kevin’s previously shared a campus with Bargeddie Primary; however, a new building was needed due to population growth in the area. And the investment in the new hub will support housing growth and respond to projected increases in pupil numbers in the area.
By continuing to work closely with the Bargeddie campus – including the primary school, nursery and community spaces – the overall offer will be strengthened through collaboration and joined-up working with the local community, delivering clear benefits for people living in Bargeddie.
Kier Construction was appointed by Hub South West, on behalf of North Lanarkshire Council, to deliver the new hub.
David MacDonald, Interim CEO, Hub South West, said: "St Kevin’s Community Hub stands as a compelling example of what can be achieved through genuine collaboration and shared ambition.
“It provides a welcoming, inclusive environment where learning, connection and opportunity can flourish. We are proud to have now handed over another successful project to North Lanarkshire Council and look forward to continuing to support its lasting legacy within the community for years to come.”
Stallan Brand won the design competition at the tender stage, with their curved building design taking inspiration from the story of St Kevin and the blackbird’s nest.
The opening of the new St Kevin’s Community Hub marks a major milestone in the council’s town and community hub programme, with three more community hubs on track for completion by the end of 2026.
These include St Stephen’s in Coatbridge, Gartcosh Community Hub and the extension to Chryston High School.