Contract awarded for new school and fire station at Lochaline

The Highland Council has this week awarded a contract to replace one of its most rural and remote schools.

The work at the 21-pupil Lochaline Primary School, Morvern, will involve the phased demolition of the existing primary school, with the exception of the Hall, and construction of a new two classroom primary school and fire station with associated external works and services. The project also includes refurbishment of the nursery facility.

Highland and Islands Fire and Rescue Service are contributing £300,000 towards the £3.2 million cost of the project.

The Council has awarded a 57-week contract to MacGregor Construction (Highland) Ltd and work is expected to begin at the end of April with completion during summer 2012.

The new school has been designed to a high sustainability standard and will feature a biomass boiler. It will comprise two classrooms, resources area, community room and new kitchen. The nursery unit will be upgraded and the existing school hall will be converted into a dining/gym hall. A floodlit MUGA (multi use games area) is being provided also in the grounds. Evidence of slow-worms were found on site last year and evidence of bats were found in parts of the building, both being protected species. The slow-worms were captured and relocated last year by the school following guidance from SNH and a bat licence was obtained to relocate nests.

The development has been designed and project managed in house by the Council’s Housing and Property Service on behalf of the Education, Culture and Sport Service as client sponsor.

The four Highland Councillors who serve Fort William and Ardnamurchan - Donald Cameron, Michael Foxley, Bren Gormley and Brian Murphy - are delighted that work is about to start on the eagerly-awaited school. 

Councillor Foxley, who has been championing the replacement of Lochaline Primary School for many years, said: “The School Board, Head Teacher, Education management and I have worked hard over the past decade on the siting and the detailed design of this new community primary school, which will replace grossly sub-standard buildings and provide our staff, pupils and residents with a modern learning environment. The inclusion of the fire station is the first for mainland Scotland and demonstrates the way forward for shared services in the Highlands.”  

Councilllor Richard Durham, Convener of the Highland and Islands Fire Board, said: “This is a great example of joined up service delivery.  Being based in the new premises provides us with a modern facility in the heart of the community.”