A major milestone has been achieved at Fairwater Community Campus, as the eagerly anticipated Health and Wellbeing Hub – named Copa (the Welsh word for “summit”) – has officially been handed over.
Copa: A New Summit for Health and Wellbeing Opens Its Doors at Fairwater Community Campus
The hub marks the first completed phase of the pioneering co-location campus, a flagship education project spearheaded by Cardiff Council and designed to align with the new Curriculum for Wales. Once complete, Fairwater Community Campus will be one of the largest and most advanced educational environments in the UK, supporting more than 2,000 students and staff.
A Milestone for Education and Community in Fairwater
Fairwater Community Campus represents a bold step forward in Welsh education, bringing together three schools on one site: Cantonian High School, Woodlands Secondary ALN School, and Riverbank Primary ALN School. Each school will retain its unique identity while benefitting from shared facilities, resources, and opportunities for collaboration.
The handover of Copa is the first major landmark in this ambitious project. The hub includes a state-of-the-art gym, outdoor sports pitches, a dynamic activity studio, and a dedicated maker space. Designed to be used during the school day and by community groups in the evenings, Copa will strengthen connections across Fairwater, providing spaces that nurture physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing for all.
Delivering on Vision
Cllr Sarah Merry, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, said:
“Fairwater Community Campus is the first of its kind for Cardiff and Wales and will be one of the most educationally advanced institutions in the UK. The handover of the wellbeing building shows how the designs are now turning into reality. Importantly, the development will see an increase in education places for both mainstream pupils and those with Additional Learning Needs, helping to meet demand across the city. This scheme is not only an investment in world-class education, but also in the Fairwater community, ensuring modern amenities are available to all.”
A Campus Built for the Future
The campus has been designed with flexibility, safeguarding, and durability at its core, ensuring it can meet the needs of current students and adapt to future educational requirements. Its design reflects Cardiff Council’s ongoing commitment to creating inclusive, world-class learning environments that support both academic excellence and personal growth.
Steve Borley, BESL Group Managing Director, commented:
“Out of adversity, we have delivered a success story along with our supply chain partners, with the Health and Wellbeing building being handed over this month on budget. The full campus remains on programme, and the quality of workmanship complements the exceptional design of this flagship project. Fairwater Community Campus has shown what can be achieved through true collaboration.”
Architect, HLM Architects, Gina Callaghan commented:
“We are pleased to see the handover of the Health and Wellbeing Hub. This milestone reflects the collaborative effort of everyone involved, and we’re excited to continue progressing towards the completion of the full campus – a truly unique environment that places mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing at the heart of education.”
Looking Ahead
As construction progresses towards completion, the successful delivery of Copa demonstrates the collaborative spirit and shared ambition driving the project. Fairwater Community Campus will not only transform education in Cardiff but also strengthen community ties, creating a landmark of innovation, inclusion, and wellbeing for generations to come.
