Work has began on a multi million pound refurbishment and extension of a Bangor primary school.

As part of a major investment in primary education in the city, workers have moved on site to extend and refurbish Ysgol y Faenol in Penrhosgarnedd,  which will increase the primary school’s capacity from 186 to 315 pupils.

Approved in May 2019, the refurbishment of the Church in Wales School will allow an extra 129 pupils to attend the school as part of a multi million pound reorganisation of primary education in the city.

In addition to the significant improvements to the current school building, a new Penrhosgarnedd Community Centre will also be built which will be connected to the school building.

Following the completion of the building works, the current community centre building will be demolished enabling the development of a new car park for both the school and community centre.

Gwynedd Council confirmed that due to the current lockdown the contractors, Wynne Construction, have implemented the required new working procedures in line with Welsh Government guidance.

The first phase of the work includes the site set up, and the development of a temporary alternative car park for the Community Centre. The Community Centre will remain open (although it is not in use at present due to Covid1-19 restrictions) until the building work is complete and the new Centre is available and ready for community use.

Cllr Cemlyn Rees Williams, Gwynedd Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “We are very pleased that work to develop Ysgol y Faenol has started.

“This is part of a wider project where Gwynedd Council and the Welsh Government are investing a total of £12.7m on primary education in the Bangor area as part of their first wave funding from the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme.

“This will provide more space at Ysgol y Faenol and a teaching environment reaching 21st Century Schools standards which will benefit pupils as well providing a new purpose built building for the much-loved community centre.”

Graham Dickson, contracts manager for Wynne Construction, added: “We are delighted to be once again working with the Gwynedd team and within the community of Bangor.

“Our focus will be to deliver the Ysgol Y Faenol new extension and refurbishment scheme, whilst working closely with the school and local community.  In addition, we are hoping to offer opportunities within the the local economy and would welcome any enquiries from the trades”