A ceremony has been held to mark the official launch of work on a new Welsh-medium primary school in Welshpool.
Powys County Council is building a new 150-place school with early years and community facilities for Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng in Welshpool, a school that was established in 2017 following a re-organisation process.
The project is being funded equally by Powys County Council’s and Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools Programme.
The ‘Foundations for the Future’ ceremony, which marked the official start of the works, took place on Friday, November 12.
Council leader Rosemarie Harris attended along with pupils and staff from Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng and representatives from Wynne Construction, the contractor working on the school.
The new school will see the old Grade II listed Ysgol Maesydre building refurbished to accommodate early years and community facilities, with a new extension built to include a new school hall and classrooms. The building will also be the first Passivhaus hybrid project in the UK.
Cllr Phyl Davies, cabinet member for education and property, said: “When complete, the new school will provide the learners and staff of Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng with 21st Century facilities while preserving and modernising Grade II listed building for the community of Welshpool to use.
“It will also be built to Passivhaus standards and this will help the council meet its ambition to reduce carbon emissions to net zero as part of efforts to tackle climate change."
The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, said: “I’m looking forward to seeing this exciting project coming to fruition.”
Angharad Davies, headteacher at Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng, said: "This building, this school, will become our Welsh community.
"We will enrich the lives of everybody in our care and we will inspire the next generation by ensuring the very best education. We will develop our pupils and our community, and we will stand proud with our passionate Welsh hearts.”
Lindsey Phillips, Chair of Governors for Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng, added: “This project has faced significant challenges over recent years, but we are delighted that we have finally reached this momentous milestone."
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