Ceremony marks start to phase three of Lochaber High upgrade

A turf cutting ceremony today (Tuesday) marked a start to work on the £11 million third phase of the upgrade of Lochaber High School, bringing the total investment at the school to £26 million.

The Highland Council has awarded a contract to the Robertson Group for a new extension and refurbishment of part of the existing building to provide:-

• A new kitchen and dining facilities;
• a new main entrance, administration block and school library; 
• new pitched roofs and external wall cladding to the remaining flat roofed classroom blocks;
• installation of a new lift;
• refurbishment of the assembly hall;
• some demolition work; 
• external landscaping and resurfacing of car park.

Enabling works have been undertaken comprising the installation of a temporary kitchen and dining accommodation and also asbestos removal work.

Work is programmed to be completed by  April 2015.

Jim Sutherland, Head Teacher, said, “This stage of the work will really transform the way our school building works and will provide a learning environment that will be truly inspirational.”

Frank Reid, regional managing director of Robertson said: “We are delighted to be starting work on this prestigious new contract.  We have worked closely with the Council on previous successful contracts and are very pleased to be involved with providing young people in Lochaber with a bright, modern environment in which to learn.”