Time capsules buried at Telford Sports and Learning Community site

The ceremony celebrated the completion of the new building’s dome roof and also the fact that the building is now effectively “watertight” or closed off to the elements.

Students from both the existing Abraham Darby Academy and the Woodlands Primary School and representatives from Telford & Wrekin Council were taken on a tour of the new building.

They also buried time capsules containing a range of mementoes and artefacts at the entrance to the new primary school, the new academy and the new leisure complex.

Constructors Kier Moss have been working on the new complex for the last 15 months and expect to have the site ready for handover in December this year, with the opening scheduled for January 2012.

The ceremony was conducted by Telford & Wrekin Council leader Councillor Kuldip Sahota and also attended by Councillor Paul Watling, cabinet member for Children and Young People, representatives of Kier, head teachers from the two schools, council officers and media.

Councillor Watling said after the ceremony: “I am delighted to see the progress that is being made towards the completion of the Abraham Darby site. This is all about investment in the future of the borough’s young people.

“We have buried three time capsules for future generations to unearth and get a view of what life was like at the time the building was built and the topping out ceremony was a great way of marking the occasion.

“The building already looks very impressive and I am looking forward to it opening and being a centre for the community in the Madeley and Woodside areas.”

Kier Moss regional director Gary Pearce said: "We are delighted to be working with Telford & Wrekin Council on this development and we're very pleased that the Abraham Darby project is progressing so well.

“It's a wonderful opportunity for Kier Moss to be involved in a project that has the potential to improve the quality of life for the local community and future generations."