Royal opening for Deafblind Scotland’s new Learning & Development Centre

19/10/17...
KIRKINTILLOCH 
HRH The Princess Royal  visited Lenzie in East Dunbartonshire on 19 October 2017 to open a new centre designed to improve the lives of Scottish adults living with deafblindness. 
Deafblind Scotland’s Learning and Development Centre ‘Field of Dreams’ - a first of its kind in Scotland - will open its doors after a decade of planning, campaigning and fundraising.

Royal opening for Deafblind Scotland’s new Learning & Development Centre

Deafblind Scotland’s new learning and development centre in Lenzie has been officially opened by The Princess Royal.

Initially called ‘The Field of Dreams’, the £2m centre was designed by Austin-Smith:Lord and constructed by Clark Contracts. It features an arts facility, IT room and recording studio which will be a daily resource for more than 800 Deafblind Scotland members who are severely dual sensory impaired.

The 7,000 square foot building, commissioned by leading charity Deafblind Scotland, is acoustically neutral with sound and light absorbing surfaces.

Ruth Dorman, Chief Executive, Deafblind Scotland, said: “Clark Contracts and their design team have been instrumental in the delivery of the project with a hands on and approachable attitude. The team made the language of construction accessible to us all at Deafblind Scotland which in turn made the process inclusive for everyone.”

Michael Scanlan, Director, Clark Contracts, said: “We have enjoyed working with Deafblind Scotland and our Design Team to deliver this important project that we hope will provide valuable facilities for deafblind people across Scotland for many years to come.”

Andrew McCafferty, Director, Austin-Smith:Lord said: “This was an immensely satisfying project being part of Clark Contract’s team, working within the constraints of budget and demanding timescale to create a positive learning and teaching environment for Deafblind Scotland, and also achieve a significant presence within the local community.”