Mallaig Hostel Construction Back on Track
Work on the construction of a hostel at Mallaig High School is back on track and it should be completed by the end of this year.
This assurance was given to the three Ward members for Caol and Mallaig – Councillors Eddie Hunter, Bill Clark and Allan Henderson - when they visited the site on Wednesday 15 April.
They were updated by officials of The Highland Council along with representatives of the Contractor, Les Taylor Construction (Northern) Ltd and observed progress on the project following recent work carried out to resolve problems encountered with the setting out of the steel frame.
The structural geometry of the building is such that it has to be erected to exacting standards and where some minor discrepancies were recently discovered, remedial works were put in hand by the contractor at no cost to the Council.
The building, which is located on a steeply sloping site donated by Sir Cameron Macintosh, was designed by the Council’s Housing and Property Service to take full advantage of commanding views over the Small Isles.
Members had the opportunity to review and monitor the progress and see at first hand the corrective measures that have been undertaken. The remedial works have met with the approval of the Project Team and will not impact on the structural integrity, performance or appearance of the hostel.
Councillor Henderson said: “We are pleased that extra employment will be brought to the area and the children of the islands will have one of the finest living environments whilst continuing their studies. They will be the envy of 5 star hotels worldwide, with the spectacular views afforded from the site.”
He indicated the completion date will be confirmed at a site meeting in May but it was hoped it would be ready by the end of the year.
Iain Mackay, Construction Director commented: “It was unfortunate that remedial measures had to be taken to rectify a defect on the site. I am pleased to report that this has now been completed and it is our intention to progress the project to a satisfactory conclusion. We have worked with the Council on a number of high profile projects and we would wish to maintain what has been in the past satisfactory, amicable and non adversarial working relationships. In the meantime the company have undertaken a review of their quality management procedures to prevent such matters occurring in the future. In is our intention to produce a revised completion date at the earliest opportunity.”