Riverbank Community Hub

As part of North Lanarkshire Council's wider investment in education and community infrastructure, the project sought to bring together two existing primary schools and an early years facility within a single campus that could serve both learners and the wider community.

The development also had to overcome challenging ground conditions and site topography, while maintaining effective traffic management throughout construction. At the same time, the building needed to be highly flexible, allowing educational and community activities to operate independently where required.

Morgan Sindall Construction worked closely with North Lanarkshire Council, hub South West Scotland and the wider design team to create a future-proofed education and community facility.

The 4,681m² steel-framed building was designed across two storeys, with flexibility and community access embedded into the layout. The campus features two dedicated teaching wings alongside a carefully considered lockdown strategy, allowing key facilities to be opened for community use outside school hours while maintaining security across educational areas.

This approach enables facilities such as the gym hall, reception area and community meeting rooms to support a wide range of local activities beyond the school day.

The new hub provides bright, flexible and adaptable spaces designed to support contemporary teaching methods and future educational requirements.

The facility combines primary and early years education within a single integrated environment, creating opportunities for collaboration, shared resources and improved community connections.

A central multifunctional social and dining space sits at the heart of the building, providing a welcoming environment for pupils, staff and visitors. The design also incorporates a distinctive internal slide, helping create an engaging and memorable learning environment for young people.

A key objective of Riverbank Community Hub was to create a facility that would benefit the wider community as well as its pupils.

The building's layout allows selected areas to operate independently from the teaching zones, maximising opportunities for community access and use.

Community facilities include:

• Gym hall
• Reception and gathering spaces
• Community meeting rooms
• Flexible social spaces

This future-focused approach ensures the hub can continue serving local residents long after the school day has ended.

The extensive external areas have been designed to support both learning and recreation.

Features include:

• Full-size 11-a-side football pitch
• Dedicated early years play space
• Hard landscaped play areas
• Soft landscaped play areas
• Outdoor learning and recreation spaces

These facilities provide opportunities for sport, play and community activity, supporting health and wellbeing for pupils and local residents alike.

Creating a lasting local legacy formed an important part of the project.

The team worked closely with schools, local organisations and community groups throughout construction, delivering meaningful social value initiatives and educational engagement opportunities.

Key Outcomes

• 2,587 project team volunteer hours delivered
• £16,342 donated to community projects and educational initiatives
• 35 work experience placements provided
• 4 local jobs created

The project team also engaged directly with pupils during construction, including a steel signing event where children from both schools signed structural steelwork that now forms part of the completed building.

Riverbank Community Hub has created a modern, flexible and sustainable facility that supports learning, wellbeing and community life across Coatbridge.

By bringing together two primary schools and an early years facility within a single campus, the project has created a future-ready learning environment while strengthening community connections through accessible shared facilities.