New schools offer benefits to local Perthshire groups in time for Christmas

Dec 11 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A WHOLE host of groups and organisations across Perthshire have received early Christmas presents as a result of the region’s new community campuses.

A total of six state-of-the-art schools will be opened by the time Perth and Kinross Council’s multi-million-pound Investment in Learning programme closes in 2010.

With four of the ambitious projects – in Blairgowrie, Crieff, Kinross and Perth – already operational, the switch between the old and new buildings has proved fruitful for community groups in the surrounding areas.

Open days have been held across the county to allow local organisations to get their hands on any unwanted equipment which would, otherwise, be recycled.

Explaining the process, a spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said: “Any equipment from the schools involved that is not being taken to the community campuses has been made available to local community groups and organisations – as well as other schools.

“Equipment or furniture which is not suitable for reuse has been recycled in line with our waste policy.

“This has been done for the four campuses opened to date and will also be carried-out for the North Inch campus in Perth and Breadalbane campus in Aberfeldy in due course.”

It is also intended furniture and white goods will be sent to the Homeless Advice Centre on Perth’s Scott Street.

And spare ICT equipment, such as projectors and interactive whiteboards, are being used in a host of Perthshire classrooms.

The spokesperson continued: “Where this has not been appropriate, equipment is being recycled.”