Kier nabs £42m school and leisure development

Kier has been chosen by Northumberland County Council to deliver a £42m leisure and learning facility in Ponteland, 15km north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The 100,000m² plot is situated to the immediate south of Ponteland town centre and will include a comprehensive range of community facilities all in one space, including two new schools.

The contractor will deliver a 420-place primary school, as well as a 1,600-place secondary school with teaching rooms and learning support areas, halls, studios and a lecture theatre.

The delivery of a leisure centre with a six-lane 25m swimming pool, a gym, climbing wall and soft play zone that will all be part of a curved building is also part of the project.

In addition, the Ponteland development will feature a full-size synthetic football pitch, cafe, library and community fire station.   

Construction is set to commence this winter and is due for completion in summer 2020 for the start of the 2020/21 academic year.  

The contractor is currently working on four new schools in the north east alone under the ESFA framework.