Ysgol Treferthyr learners have etched their names into history during a visit to the site of their new school building, as the development hits a major milestone.
Year six pupils along with the school’s board of governors were invited by Bodelwyddan-based contractor Wynne Construction to see the shape and size of the building, with its steel beams now installed.
To mark the end of this significant stage in construction, one of the final beams was signed by the children before it was lifted into place, followed by a tour of the site, led by Wynne Construction project manager Andy Lea and site manager Aled Roberts.
The new £8m facility is being built on behalf of Cyngor Gwynedd and will provide six classrooms for 150 pupils, an increase from its previous capacity of 119, an early years unit, as well as an additional learning assessment area.
With the structure now in place, the next step of works will include the ground floor slab concreting for the base of the building, followed by the installation of the school’s roof.
Andy said: “This was a great time for the children to visit the site, as with the skeleton of the school now in place, they could get an idea of its overall structure.
“Inviting the pupils to sign their names into the steel not only gives them a taste for the construction process but allows them to leave a legacy in their community and leave their mark on the history of the school.”
The project, scheduled to finish by September 2024, is funded by the Welsh Government through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme and Cyngor Gwynedd.
The visit forms part of Wynne’s commitment to ensuring community benefits are felt from the moment work starts, which also encompasses utilising its local supply chain and providing opportunities for apprentices.
An archaeological dig has already been hosted on site where pupils examined artefacts found during a pre-planning survey, as well as a turf-cutting event where students and council members broke ground to mark the commencement of works.
Head of Ysgol Treferthyr Karena Owens said: “Being able to visit the site and see the new school developing was really exciting and gave us a real sense of the size and shape of the building.
“It was also great that year 6 learners had the opportunity to take part in an important milestone of the development by getting to sign one of the final steel beams and to leave their mark on the history of the new school.
“We are really excited to see the new school continue to take shape which will undoubtedly be an excellent resource and a great educational asset for the learners, staff, Governors, and the community for the future.”
Wynne Construction operates throughout Wales and the North West of England, and regularly leads on projects in sectors including education, social housing, healthcare, and sport and leisure.
The company is also on the North Wales Construction Partnership (NWCP), Pagabo’s Medium Works Framework, the South-East and mid-Wales Collaborative Construction Framework (SEWSCAP3) and the South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework (SSWRCF).