Cost of Park Mains High School extension increased to £37m in Erskine

The total cost of a project that will facilitate the extension of Park Mains High School in Erskine is expected to rise to £37m.

The 400-pupil expansion will boost capacity at the Barrhill Road site to meet an expected rise in pupil numbers – largely linked to the growth of Bishopton’s Dargavel Village – in the years ahead.

Recent estimates have worked out that a previous budget of £30m, which was set a year ago, will need to increase by £7m following planning and design work.

Calculations have taken into consideration the costs of a newbuild extension as well as remodelling needed at the existing building to make sure it feels like a single school.

A report authored by Alastair MacArthur, Renfrewshire Council’s director of finance and resources, will be considered by elected members at Thursday’s full council meeting.

It explained: “In relation to the Park Mains High School extension, planning and design for the work required has also now reached a stage where there is improved certainty as to the overall project costs.

“Members will be aware that the current £30m budget, originally set in September 2023, was based on Scottish Futures Trust metrics for a new build secondary school.

“The estimate required to cover both the costs of the newbuild extension and the costs of remodelling within the existing school in order to support subject adjacencies and the continued effective operation of the school.

“The most recent cost estimates based on the progressed design are indicating a total expected cost of £37m.

“The construction costs related to the newbuild element of the project are broadly in line with the forecast cost expected (being a combination of the extension being slightly smaller than anticipated but construction cost rates increasing above that forecast).

“However, the degree of intervention and remodelling within the existing school footprint is more substantial in order to ensure the expanded school – when complete – still feels from an educational standpoint like a single school.”

Construction of the multi-million-pound extension at Park Mains is scheduled to begin in 2026 and finish the following year.

The decision to bring the total capacity to 2,000 was made at the education and children’s services policy board in May last year.

According to the financial outlook paper, it is expected BAE Systems, the landowner at Dargavel Village, will need to contribute to the capital costs of the Park Mains project, amounting to approximately half of the cost incurred.

The report added: “The additional cost to the council therefore will be £3.5m, which will … be funded through prudential borrowing.

“This addition will mean the total borrowing costs will increase from the original estimate of £1m annually to £1.2m … Members should be aware that there remains a risk that the revised cost estimate above may be subject to further volatility – as is the case with any large construction project – until both the procurement and construction are complete.”