WICK Community Campus has been hailed as one of the best educational developments in Europe after judges awarded hub North Scotland a prestigious prize at an international awards ceremony.
The £48.5million project is being delivered by hub North Scotland on behalf of the Highland Council and has been given a seal of approval by experts leading the 2015 Partnerships Awards.
At a ceremony in London the Wick project claimed gold in the ‘best education project’ category – ahead of nominations from as far afield as the Philippines, Poland and France. Closer to home, Levenmouth High School was the other Scottish contender on the shortlist and a project from Ireland was also in the running.
Recognising the best in public private partnerships (PPP), the Partnerships Awards are now in their 17th year and reward companies for working on new projects as well as on operational schemes.
Wick Community Campus is set to replace the existing Wick High School, South Primary and Pultneytown Academy Primary School and incorporates a new library and swimming pool in a design which is set to serve both pupils and people within the town and the surrounding area. In addition, hub North Scotland is also driving the construction of the nearby £14.5million Noss Primary School which will cater for nearly 400 pupils and includes plans for a multi-use games area, netball area and car park.
Angus Macfarlane, chief executive of hub North Scotland, said, “We are delighted to have received this recognition from the Partnerships Awards, which is a tremendous endorsement for the team responsible for delivering the Wick Community Campus for local residents. It is not only a reflection on the quality of the project, but also underlines the benefits and strength of the hub model – which has partnership at its core.”
Morrison Construction, part of the Galliford Try group of companies, is the main contractor for both of the Wick projects. Galliford Try Investments and Sweett Equitix have invested in the funding for the project and Galliford Try Facilities Management will provide ongoing hard facilities maintenance and lifecycle management services over the 25 year concession period.
Donald Mclachlan, Highland regional director of Morrison Construction, said, “We are delighted to be part of the team winning this prestigious award for the Wick Community Campus along with our partners at hub North Scotland and the Highland Council. Morrison Construction has a proven track record in providing public sector facilities across Scotland and are pleased to be providing the high quality school and community facilities that the local community in Wick deserve. Collaboration has once again been the key to success in this project and with an early start on site, coupled with a first class supply chain, we are progressing well.”
Linda Shearer, PPP director of Sweett Investment Services, added: “I was thrilled to pick up the award on behalf of the whole team, which worked very hard overcoming many challenges to ensure the local people of Wick will have a new facility that they can be proud of for many generations to come.”
