Pupils cut first turf for new school dining hall

Group photo

Joining pupils to cut the first turf are Morgan Sindall Project Manager Patrick Johnson, Head Teacher Rhona MacCormack and Cllr Alex Graham

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Pupils from Dalneigh Primary in Inverness joined Cllr Alex Graham earlier today (Monday 3 December) to help cut the turf for an extension at the school.

The project includes creating a new commercial kitchen and a dining hall which will have a capacity for 350 children over three sittings, two for primary and one for nursery.

Head teacher Rhona MacCormack said: “I’m delighted that work is starting as it is going to make a massive difference to our lunchtimes. The number of children taking school meals is going up. Currently we have to have three sittings using our games hall which is time consuming and means we cannot use the hall for other activities. Freeing up the hall will allow us to have lunchtime clubs and sports activities going on without affecting the serving of lunch.”

Cllr Alex Graham added: “Food for Dalneigh Primary School is prepared at another school so it is going to be a real benefit to pupils to have it freshly prepared at their school in the new commercial kitchen. The dedicated dining facilities are also going to be a real bonus.”

Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure has been appointed under a design and build contract and the works will be managed and supervised by the Council’s Property Team within the Development & Infrastructure Service.

Stuart Parker, Managing Director of Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure in Scotland said: “It’s important that when children come to school they feel inspired by every aspect of their surroundings, and this new extension will provide pupils with a modern and fit-for-purpose environment in which to enjoy their downtime.

“We hope it will have a positive impact on their wellbeing and enable them to excel both in and out of the classroom.”

The construction cost is just under £1M and works are expected to be completed in the summer of 2019

3 Dec 2018