Preliminary works begin at new site of Aviemore Primary School

Aviemore residents will see the first signs of work on their new community primary school next week. As part of the planning conditions imposed by the Cairngorms National Park Authority, The Highland Council will be conducting an archaeological investigation in the area of the new playing field, which is also the area of the existing birch wood.

In order to preserve any archaeological and historic interest of the site, this investigation must be concluded before building works commence.

From Monday (22 November) tree felling works will begin to clear the site for the archaeological investigation and the future playing field.  The trees felled will be cut and chipped for re-use as landscaping and bio diversity enhancement. Genetic material will be gathered from the felled trees for propagation purposes.

The following week (commencing 29 November) archaeological works will commence and continue until 3 December. The results of the archaeology will be known well in advance of the start of the main building works.

Tender documents were issued to contractors last week for the new primary school in Aviemore and are due to be returned by Friday 10 December. Work is programmed to start on site in March 2011 and be completed by April 2012.
The £9 million school will feature a range of community facilities including a community library, sports changing facilities, multi purpose activity room, meeting room, learning centre and service point reception with interview rooms as well as:

• 10 primary classrooms, 2 general purpose classrooms and a resources area;
• Nursery and childcare facilities (with independent access);
• Assisted support needs facilities;
• Multi-purpose sports hall;
• Kitchen and dining facilities;
• School library (joint facility with community library)
• Support for learning unit 

The project has been designed by The Highland Council’s Housing and Property Service on behalf of the Education, Culture and Sport Service.

Willie McKenna, Chairman of the Aviemore Community Centre, has welcomed the early start to work at the site.

He said: “We are all greatly looking forward to our new school which will bring our community together at one focal point. The archaeological dig will be really interesting  and we will all be intrigued to see what is found.”