A MULTI-MILLION POUND refurbishment project on four primary schools has begun this week.
Applegrove in Forres, St Gerardine in Lossiemouth, Elgin’s Seafield and Millbank in Buckie are the subject of a £17million investment designed to bring the schools to a “fit for purpose” standard.
Grant funding of £10million was awarded to Moray Council by the Scottish Government last year for the project – the remainder of the funding for the project is being provided by the local authority.
Roof coverings, insulation and fully modernised heating and electrical systems are amongst a raft of improvements to be delivered to all four schools with the project expected to continue until spring next year.
When first announced in August 2014 the refurbishment plans caused controversy, agreement to go ahead coming as it did when the Council were still discussing the future shape of the Moray school estate. However, the Sustainable Education Review (SER) was ultimately ditched in the face of strong community opposition supported by a majority of councillors.
The work now under way on the four primary schools will be a phased operation and they will all remain fully operational with temporary modular accommodation being put to use.
Planning permission has already been granted for the four sites and the contract awarded to Galliford Try, the parent company of Morrison Construction.