Project of the Year Winner 2017
| Project Name | Ysgol Cybi – New Primary school |
| Project Location | Holyhead, Anglesey |
| Contract Period | 18 months |
| Project Start Date | 30th November 2015 |
| Practical Completion | 23rd June 2017 |
| Contract Value | £9.2m |
| QS/Cost Consultants | SP Projects |
| Structural Engineer | Caulmert |
| Electrical/Mechanical Engineer | ESD |
| Client CDM Co-ordinator/Principal Designer | SP Projects |
| Contractor | Wynne Construction |
| Building Control | Isle of Anglesey County Council |
| Architect | Lovelock Mitchell |
The Project for a new primary school in Holyhead has developed following a decision to merge 3 schools i.e. Ysgol y Parc, Ysgol Llaingoch and Ysgol Parch. Thomas Ellis into a new school.
The school is a large scale primary school for 525 pupils on the site of a derelict Grade II Listed Edwardian School. The scheme comprises of the full refurbishment of the Listed Building and the construction of a new modern contrasting two storey extension, together with an off-site car park.
The new school was completed in June 2017 and is also a Voluntary Controlled Church in Wales School.
Engagement with the community, pupils, parents and staff has been key to the successful delivery of this project. A Stakeholder Group was formed prior to any design work – consisting of school staff, parents, local members, town council members and Church in Wales representatives.
Design workshops took place with pupils to discuss their requirements and design ideas together with two community events to give local people an opportunity to view the design and to submit any concerns or comments.
During construction, the contractor issued regular newsletters to local residents to give updated on the progress. There were also monthly updates available on a Facebook and Twitter page as well as the school website.
An open day was held at the school and attended by over 500 local residents and parents. Many residents are extremely pleased to see the building returning to educational use. The reinstatement of a modern spire to the tower has been greatly received and has reinstated the Cybi Building as a landmark building within Holyhead and the region.
Delivering Community Benefits are set target requirements for all construction projects of this scale on Anglesey. The Community Benefits delivered by Wynne Construction on this project included the creation of two new jobs for local unemployed people with 88 weeks employment during the project, 348 weeks of work experience opportunities delivered, 13 apprentices, 671 pupil interaction experiences and 8 hours school lesson contribution. The use of local suppliers and contractors are encouraged and on this project 19% of the project spend remained on Anglesey with a further 59% remaining in North Wales. 33% of the workforce working on the project lived within 30 miles of the site with a further 34% from within the North Wales area.
Following the site selection for the school development and the inclusion of the listed Building within the scheme, early discussions took place with CADW to ascertain the extent of the building which could be removed, retained and the specification of the remedial works. It was agreed that the rear southern elements of the building could be demolished – and the main northern façade and the three main hall spaces were to remain intact and to be fully refurbished.
The design has retained and brought back into use the main halls and reinstating the original glazed arches on the East and West flanking walls. In the same manor the new school plan has opened up the former classroom spaces adjacent to each main hall into open plan teaching spaces.
A new aluminium standing seam clad spire has been added to the existing octagonal tower- providing a historical link back to the original feature of the building. A new glass lantern light has been installed beneath the new spire to bring daylight to the main entrance of the building below. All existing openings within the north façade have been reinstated with hardwood casement or box sliding sash fenestration with new double glazed units – in the appropriate style and consistent with the original.
