A Fife councillor has revealed her pride following a visit to two sites of projects being led by the local authority’s building services team.
Councillor Judy Hamilton, spokesperson for housing and building services, visited the transformation of Kirkcaldy’s Adam Smith Theatre and the build of Methil Care Village.
A refurbishment of the theatre’s main auditorium was completed earlier this year, with the next phase of works focusing on reinvigorating the foyer, café/bar, and function suites. Fife Council said works should be completed by summer 2023.
Councillor Judy Hamilton said, “It’s great to see first-hand all the hard work refurbishing this historic building. There are always challenges in older buildings; and these, coupled with shortages of materials, Covid restrictions, new ways of working and social distancing on-site have made it a challenging and an interesting building to work on.
“These are significant works throughout the whole building, to bring it into a modern use, whilst retaining the original features. Fife Council’s Building Services is the main contractor on site and it was good to meet on site and to see these works being carried out to a very high standard.”
The build of Methil Care Village will see the delivery of an ‘innovative, inter-generational’ community facility. It will comprise a new 36-bed residential care home as a replacement for Methilhaven Home in Buckhaven, as well as a new nursery, and 35 extra care and specific needs bungalows for older people. The council said it anticipates works will be completed by the end of 2022.
Councillor Judy Hamilton said, “The Methil Care Village is a vital commitment in the council’s ambitious affordable housing programme and I am delighted to see the progress towards the 35 extra-care and specific needs council houses in the Levenmouth area.
“I am very proud that Fife Council’s building services is the main contractor on site, and it was great to meet with them to discuss the challenges of building through new ways of working and Covid restrictions, and to now see the progress made.
“The build is of a very high standard; our houses are warm and healthy with high levels of energy efficiency, recognising that we are in a climate emergency and we will do everything to support our tenants in preventing a fuel-poverty emergency.
“The care village presents our tenants with the best of both worlds – having opportunity to remain at home, with care services on their doorstep.”
