Keys handed over at north’s new schools
dingwall Academy and portree high are first PPP buildings to be completed
Published:
THE keys to two new multimillion pound Highland schools were yesterday handed over after the finishing touches were applied to the buildings.
Both Dingwall Academy and Portree High School are the first of Highland Council’s public-private-partnership (PPP) secondary schools to be completed.
On hand at Dingwall yesterday to witness the historic handover was school janitor James MacKenzie. Mr MacKenzie who was educated at primary and secondary school at Dingwall said he was delighted with the new building. Mr MacKenzie also worked as janitor in the old school building in the town and he is head janitor of new building.
The £28million Dingwall Academy will accommodate approximately 1,100 pupils while the £28million Portree High School will be home to 700 pupils. In addition to a range of classrooms both schools will also provide community facilities, which include a public library, enhanced school hall with specialist seating to create a venue for performance and sports facilities which include a swimming pool and climbing wall for the residents of the Isle of Skye to enjoy.
Morrison Construction, part of Galliford Try Group, built the schools in the last two years.
Highland Council's education chairman Bill Fernie said: “The building of two new secondary schools represents a significant investment and demonstrates our commitment to sustaining our Highland communities and investing in education for future generations. Pupils at Dingwall and Portree can now look forward to starting the next school term in two magnificent new schools which are well built and finished to an extremely high quality.”
Headteacher at Portree High School, Catherine MacDonald, said: “The new school is a community facility for all our residents with its library, swimming pool, venue and sports facilities. Its classrooms are equipped with the latest technology.”
Graham Mackenzie, the rector of Dingwall Academy, added: ‘This is a most exciting time for everyone connected with Dingwall Academy. Although there will be a degree of sadness on leaving our old building, all pupils and staff are very much looking forward to having their first glimpse of the newly completed facility.”
