Council Delegation Briefed on Lochaber Developments

Click images to enlarge (Images open in the same window)

BSW Timber’s sawmill at Corpach, Rio Tinto’s Fort William smelter as well as Lochaber High School were among the ports of call for a senior delegation from The Highland Council this week.

Convener Sandy Park, Vice-Convener Jean Urquhart and Chief Executive Alistair Dodds were also briefed on the campaign to upgrade the A 82 and attended a meeting on Monday night of the Ward Forums for Fort William and Ardnamurchan and Caol and Mallaig at Caol Community Centre.

BSW Timber’ s mill manager, Andy Rogers, told the delegation of his company’s £40 million plans to relocate from their existing premises at Corpach to the adjacent 67-acre Arjo Wiggins paper mill factory site.

At the smelter site, the delegation were advised of the £45 million investment in the modernisation of the Fort William plant which will see new hydro-electric turbo-generators installed to power the smelter. The project is due to begin in 2009 and be completed by 2012.

Councillor Sandy Park said: “These are exciting times for Fort William, with two of the main employers showing their commitment to the area with major investment plans, which will secure jobs in to the future. At a time when it is vital for an area to have a diverse economic base, the long-term security offered by these investment is particularly important."

At Lochaber High School, the delegation were given a tour of the 904-pupil school by Head Teacher Jim Sutherland and advised of plans for a £11.7 million phased upgrade of the school.

The first phase is the redevelopment is earmarked for the summer when the swimming pool and dance room will be demolished to be replaced by a new sports complex, similar to that built at recently opened at Grantown.. Phase 2 involves new build and refurbishments and the Council is liaising closely with the school over this complex part of the project.

Councillor Urquhart said: “We are delighted to be investing £11.7 million in Lochaber High over the next four years.  A tour of the building demonstrates the need for this investment.  It was also very clear from meeting staff and pupils that the quality of the learning experience is of the highest standard.”

Two grass football pitches are included in the plans for the redevelopment of the playing fields and the Council has said it will investigate the costs that would be required to fund a new all weather pitch at the school.

In Lochaber, the Council is also building the Highland’s first sustainable school at Acharacle Primary School, while a new school complex is being built at Kinlochleven and a new hostel is earmarked for Mallaig.