CLARK Contracts has commenced work on the refurbishment of Inverness’ Bught Park, on behalf of the Highland Council.
The park is being revamped with sustainability and the local community in mind, with the local authority aiming to create what will eventually become a year-round venue.
The start of works will see the demolition of the park’s existing changing rooms to the rear of the stadium, which is regularly used for shinty games, in preparation for the construction of new replacement changing facilities.
The current changing rooms are described as being ‘cramped, uninsulated, unheated, and poorly ventilated’. In contrast, the new replacement facilities will be fully accessible and well insulated with underfloor heating and mechanical ventilation heat recovery systems.
An ‘innovative’ wastewater heat recovery system will be utilised in the changing room showers, which will provide further energy savings in conjunction with ground source heat pumps which will offer renewable energy for hot water and heating.
The work at Bught Park forms part of three projects along the River Ness to benefit from almost £20 million of UK Government levelling up funding. The projects will look to boost Inverness’ sporting and cultural attractions, preserve key heritage assets, help attract more tourists, and assist in achieving net zero carbon targets.
The Highland Council’s Inverness city and area leader, councillor Ian Brown, and co-chair of the levelling up fund programme board, said, “I am delighted to hear that the contractor is onsite, with works due to start imminently. This milestone in the project takes us a step closer to being able to offer great sporting opportunities for people living in Inverness and the surrounding area that not only fulfils the needs of the users, but which does so in a sustainable manner.”
