WORK to create a modern school for the next generation of pupils at Harris Academy in Dundee is underway.
Dundee City Council appointed hub East Central Scotland Company (hubCo) to replace the existing Harris Academy in the South West of the city. hubCo works with its development partner, Amber Blue, which is led on a daily basis by Robertson Capital Projects.
The £30m contract will see the construction of a 15,000m2 school which will replace the original building which dates from the 1930s. With an overall build programme of 139 weeks, the new school will provide 1,200 pupils with safe, secure and well-designed academic spaces which are complemented by a variety of facilities for community use.
Features such as the clock tower and stone entrance portico from the 1931 school will be retained. The project is due to be completed in spring 2016.
hubCo’s supply chain for the project includes main contractor Robertson, architects Holmes Miller Partnership, M&E Engineers Wallace Whittle, and structural engineers Goodsons. The supply chain will be responsible for delivering a range of local employment and training opportunities for local people, providing opportunities for locally based SME businesses and promoting social enterprise growth. It is also hoped that the investment acts a catalyst for wider regeneration.
Keith Taylor, Regional Managing Director at Robertson said, “Work is now underway on this exciting project to replace a building which is no longer fit for purpose. Over the course of the next two-and-a-half-years we will deliver a well designed, modern space.”
Dundee City Council education convener, Councillor Stewart Hunter, said,
“This funding will help provide a building that will meet the educational challenges of the future.”
