CARDIFF Council has celebrated a significant milestone in the development of the Fairwater Community Campus, with the successful handover of the Health and Wellbeing block in August 2025. This marks a major step forward in the delivery of one of the city’s most ambitious education infrastructure projects.
Despite challenges following the administration of ISG Construction Ltd in September 2024, the Council acted swiftly to secure the Fairwater Community Campus site and ensure continuity of works by novating contracts to Borley Engineering Services Ltd (BESL) and appointing them as interim principal contractor to ensure that works could restart as quickly as possible, whilst also making payments to the existing supply chain.
Since then, progress has accelerated, with the Health and Wellbeing building now complete. Named Copa, the Welsh word for “summit”, the provision will serve as a centre for health, wellbeing, and sport. It features a dynamic activity studio, a state-of-the-art gym and outdoor sports pitches. These facilities are already being used by pupils since the start of the new term and once the rest of the project is completed, will open its doors to community groups in the evenings, encouraging connections and helping to strengthen Cardiff’s community spirit.
The largest project in scale and investment delivered by Cardiff and Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, the campus goes beyond the boundaries of traditional schooling, focusing on supporting the Curriculum for Wales and on seven areas; learning, arts, sports, post-16 education, inclusion, sustainability and community.
The campus will provide state-of-the-art facilities for Cantonian High School, Riverbank Special School and Woodlands High School, expanding capacity for both mainstream and Additional Learning Needs (ALN) pupils, offering modern learning environments, sports facilities, and community spaces.
Cabinet Member for Education, Sarah Merry, commented: ”The handover of the Health and Wellbeing Block is a testament to the resilience and dedication of everyone involved.
”This campus will transform education provision in Cardiff, especially for learners with additional needs.
“The project continues to deliver strong social value, including apprenticeships, community engagement, and support for disadvantaged groups.”
Other key dates in the development include:
- Cantonian High School is on track for occupation in January 2026, with sports pitches largely complete and internal fit-out progressing well.
- Riverbank and Woodlands Schools are scheduled for handover in September 2026, with structural and roofing works completed and internal works underway.
Cardiff Council’s Cabinet will be updated on the progress of the project when it meets on Thursday (September 18), and will also be informed of the procurement process to appoint a main contractor to see the project through to its conclusion, along with the decision to continue with the current arrangements to minimise disruption and provide increased capacity for both mainstream and ALN pupils.
A webcast of that meeting will be available to watch on the day Agenda for Cabinet on Thursday, September 18, 2025, 2.00 pm : Cardiff Council
Prior to the Cabinet meeting, the report with be scrutinised by The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee when it meets tomorrow (September (). A recording of that meeting will be available to view Agenda for Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, 9th September, 2025, 4.30 pm : Cardiff Council
