http://www.highland.gov.uk/learningh...+and+Plans.htm
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February 2014 Stakeholders Newsletter for latest updates at http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonly...ewsletter6.pdf
Where can you see a detailed design and visualisation of the swimming pool?
The Wick Project
Newsletter 7 – April 2014
The Wick Schools Project
The Wick Schools Project includes the Wick Campus (incorporating the ‘South of the River’ Primary School, High School and East Caithness Community Facilities) on the Wick High/Pulteneytown Academy Primary School site, and the new ‘North of the River’ Primary School to be built on the current North Primary School site.
This Newsletter brings everybody up to date with progress on the whole project in Wick.
On the Web
This newsletter, together with newsletters 1 to 6, minutes of Stakeholder Meetings, together with plans of the new facilities are available at http://www.highland.gov.uk/learningh...ck+Project.htm
The Wick Campus
Newsletter 6 had dates for Stage 2 submission, and Financial Close in March 2014.
These have not yet happened, mainly due to significant work required by Hub/Miller Construction to clarify the submitted tenders.
Hub have indicated that tender costs will be shared with the Council early this month, with the Stage 2 submission following discussions between Hub and Council.
To ensure that the projected Handover Date (before Easter 2016) is maintained, the Council and Hub have already engaged in discussions regarding Early Works Contracts to allow work to start on site. (This process has already been used on the new Primary School site in the North of the River).
These contracts would include site set up, and ground works to level the site ready for building, and would last up to 8 to 10 weeks.
Project Dates
• Handover Date – before Easter 2016
• Move in period – before and during Easter 2016
• Completion of external works – August 2016
Wick North of the River Primary SchoolProgress
An Enabling Works package started in February as planned. This package consisted of site set up, a new temporary playground, hoarding and drain diversion works.
The old janitor’s house, and the wooden building adjacent is being used by Hub/Millers as site offices, and are currently being renovated.
The new temporary playground below is now complete, and pupils are now using it. (The weather looks good too!)
Photo in the Pdf version at http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonly...ewsletter7.pdf
Hoarding separating the construction site from the North Primary School is almost complete.
The drain diversion works are due to take place over the Easter holidays.
A further Enabling Works contract for groundworks is currently being discussed between Hub and the Council.
Project Dates
• School handover – 10/07/15
• Completion of all external works – 26/02/16
Safer Routes to School
ECS and TECS have met to discuss the proposals, and the outcome of these discussions will be provided at the next Stakeholder Meeting.
Stakeholder Meeting
The next Stakeholder Meeting takes place on Monday 19th May at 7pm in Wick High School.
All the drawings and plans tha tare currently available can be found at http://www.highland.gov.uk/learningh...+and+Plans.htm
I am not aware that detailed drawings of the swimming pool have been released online as yet.
The Highland Council launched their new web site a few days ago so it is possible they have moved the sections to new URL's. I will have to research that to find them when I have time.
The new page for the North of the river school is at http://www.highland.gov.uk/info/893/...gs_programme/6
The new page for the Wick schools campus is at http://www.highland.gov.uk/info/893/...gs_programme/5
A link to the plans etc is on those pages.
Names announced for new Wick primary schools
The names for two new primary schools being built under Highland Council’s modern school buildings programme were announced today in Wick by Caithness Civic Leader, Councillor Gail Ross.
Newton Park Primary School – is the new name for the new Highland Council primary school on the Wick joint campus, replacing Pulteneytown and South primary schools.
Noss Primary School was also announced today as the name of the new North of the River Primary School in Wick which will replace North and Hillhead Primary Schools.
Pupils, teachers, support staff and parents from South School and Pulteneytown Academy Primary joined Caithness Civic Leader, Councillor Gail Ross as she declared the name of Newton Park Primary School.
Around 80 primary 1 - 7 pupils walked from South School along the recommended route to the site of the new school at the rear of Pulteneytown Academy Primary to join the 254 Academy primary and nursery pupils to hear Councillor Ross declare the new school name. The school name was voted as the most popular choice in a ballot held from 30 May to 6 June. Ballot papers were counted on 9 June.
At the new joint campus site Councillor Ross said: “I am delighted to announce the results of the ballot and the new school name as Newton Park Primary School.
Councillor Ross today also declared the name of the new school north of the River Wick she said: “I am also pleased to announce the name of the new school which will combine North and Hillhead Primaries as Noss Primary School.
She said: “With shared identities for our two new schools we can now look forward to seeing the plans for our modern education in Wick become reality.”
The Wick Project
Newsletter 8 – July 2014
The Wick Schools Project
The Wick Schools Project includes the Wick Campus (incorporating the Newton Park Primary School, High School and East Caithness Community Facilities) on the Wick High/Pulteneytown Academy Primary School site, and the new Noss Primary School to be built on the current North Primary School site.
Please note the recently announced names of the new Primary schools.
On the Web
NOTE - the Council’s website has been revised, so the previous link is no longer available. The new link is http://www.highland.gov.uk/info/893/...ings_programme . A menu on the left hand side of this page allows you to select which project you require.
The Wick Campus
It was reported in the last Newsletter that Hubco were due to provide the results of the Tender Exercise to Council in April. The result of this exercise showed that costs were significantly above what was expected. The increased costs are due to the market being ‘buoyant’, and transport, accommodation and subsistence, due to Wick’s location.
During May and June, the Council, Hubco and Millers, and the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) have been in discussion on a resolution to this issue.
A report was submitted to The Highland Council on Thursday 26th June outlining a solution - namely that additional funding would be applied to the Wick Campus project from two sources – for the High School/Swimming Pool - the Scottish Government/SFT would provide an additional 12% funding, with the Council providing an additional sum
to reflect the increased costs indicated above.
In addition, approval was sought to enter an Early Works contract with Hub, so that work can begin during the school holidays before the main contract and Financial Close is completed.
The Council approved the report unanimously.
There is still much negotiation to be completed, but we are now in a much better position to get to contract close.
Project Date
The Campus opening date remains the start of session 2016.
Noss Primary School
Progress
An Early Works package was signed between the Council and Hubco in April. The contractors have started the new build, taking over the playing fields, stripping the site, and setting out the foundations. See photos at http://www.caithness.org/atoz/wick/p...y=106&start=48
Work is progressing well.
The same issues regarding tender costs in the Campus also applied to this contract. The report to Council also requested additional funding by the Council to address these issues. This was again was approved unanimously.
The main contract between Council and Hubco is due to be signed by 4th July 2014.
Work on the new school will therefore continue without a break.
Project Dates
Due to the tender issues, the handover date for the new school has been delayed by 2 weeks to 24th July 2015. This will allow the Council to complete the set
up for the new school by 17th August, when Staff are due to return from the summer holidays.
Stakeholder Meeting
The next Stakeholder Meeting takes place on Monday 25th August at 7pm in Wick High School.
A couple of quick questions , theres a gymnasium being built , will this be open to the general public ? will the highland council actually supply machinery that actually works ? unlike the current gym in lower pulteneytown where we the users are consistently fobbed off by those in power.
Nicola Sturgeon at the new Wick High turf cutting http://www.caithness-business.co.uk/article.php?id=5131
Have you contacted High Life Highland who run the facilities now under a contract from the council - http://highlifehighland.com/
If so what response did you get. This was brought up at the schools Stakeholder group and I understood it was being looked at as all the equipment is on a lease arrangement and should be fixed under the leasing arrangements. Did this happen? Are there still problems? If so let me know what the problems are currently for you by email me at bill.fernie.cllr@highland.gov.uk
Stakeholder Group minutes can be found at http://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads..._group_minutes
Financial close for Wick Campus puts project full steam ahead
See http://caithness-business.co.uk/article.php?id=5584
Progress Photo Gallery - http://www.caithness.org/atoz/wick/p...y=107&start=24
The latest Stakeholder minutes for October 2015 are now available at http://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/download/89/new_schools_proposed_for_wick-stakeholder_group_minutes
Also there the latest actions notes.
Photo of the site can be seen at http://www.caithness.org/atoz/wick/p...ry=107&start=0
A link to the photos can be found on the main Caithness.org front page in the left hand column.
The next stakeholders meeting has been changed from Monday 2nd, to Monday 23rd February 2015 due to availability of project team members.
Hi Bill, Yes I contacted those in power, mr Durrand & his superior ., The gym was supplied with brand new equipment after that rant so I have to say thank you to the highland council on that point.
But back to the original point, theres a new state of the art school being built, the gym equipment will be good as well BUT theres still not going to be a sauna !!?? Why ?? if wee p[laces like Golspie can have a jaccuzi , steam room & sauna , why the heck cant Wick ?? The population is 4 times that of Golspie so WHY ??
Why do we have to go 20 miles to get A a steam room or B a sauna ?? this is 2015 & this is the chance to put things right, instead of treating Wickers like 4th class citizens, we need to get these modern day comodoties in our town
Excuse me ? A brand new gym with out a sauna ? that would get you laughed out of anywhere else`s public consultations.
No , I wasnt at any public consultation , I had no idea these meetings were taking place, sorry but is that a crime ?
Stakeholder Group minutes for February 2015 now available at
http://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads..._february_2015
Also an Action Tracker to be updated from time to time -
http://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/12760/wick_stakeholder_group_actions_tracker_march_2015
Photos from 3 March 2015 at
http://www.caithness.org/atoz/wick/p...y=107&start=72
Latest photos of Wick High at http://www.caithness.org/atoz/wick/p...=107&start=108
Does anyone have any advice on what we can do about the loss of the school bus Staxigoe / Papigoe pupils? It is shameful that it is deemed acceptable for the kids to have to walk over two miles in all weathers to get to school. When choosing where to live, transport to school was a considered factor in the decision making. Now there is no option for our local children
Stagecoach have agreed to reinstate the bus service for school pupils from Staxigoe.
Forthcoming Feb 2nd 2016 Stakeholder meeting. If anyone has any issues to raise with regard to Noss Primary or the Community Campus please PM me or submit to the Wick Community Council website or FACEBOOK page.
Thank you
Does anyone know if the new swimming pool will have a ramp actually in the swimming pool for disabled access please?
Well apart from rumours of it being made on the cheap and with the resulting structural failure issues due to the cost cutting, these issues aside, it's a contractual secret apparently so sounds like they are trying to botch over any problems and do a runner before everyone who already knows, finds out.....They obviously don't realise this is Wick at its best, everyone knows everything about everything and everyone else before they do
That it's years late isn't a rumour, that's a stark fact you can see by walking past it. It's amazing how companies like Morrisons can build a building for a commercial customer on time and on budget (or suffer the penalties) but as soon as they get a public sector job you'd think it was the first time human kind had set stone upon stone. They know full well they can bid cheap to get the work (and having a few connections helps to!) then milk the public purse for all that it can because the Council representatives they report to are feckless and toothless. They must have some fun running rings around the Council Contracts people - getting a clause which says that they can't publicise the reasons for delay is a bobby dazzler. A tenner says it closes for repairs within 6 months of opening.....whenever that'll be.
Well if it closes am sure they will fix it do not worry about it or take a hernia over it calm down could be worse we could have no schools at all jeez lift Urr lip up
Things are really starting to take shape in the New School now. For up to date photos and information on the school go see for yourself
https://wickhighschool.org/
I would certainly hope so. After being 3 years late, and counting, we'd expect a bit more than 'shape'.
I also hear of some parents looking to apply for their bairns to go to Thurso High next year on the assumption/expectation of endless disruption to this new one once the doors finally open (or jam shut).
Given that in its current state the new high school is a damn sight better than what the kids are currently being taught in I welcome the new High School when it opens. I accept there's been delays and problems however lets keep things positive having had a walk around the building there are some excellent rooms already finished the staff and the kids cant wait to get moved. As for kids parents applying for Thurso High I heard there were tartan pigs flying around Caithness but then thats just a little story I made up for this keyboard as I would believe yours is also. :Razz
You don't say!
It's a school (very simple building, the type of which is built on a regular basis and have been for decades) on a piece of greenfield land (so no nasty surprises).
So why more than 3 years late ? We're not allowed to know because the feckless councillors trying to manage this are made a fool out of by cleverer contractors out to make a buck from public money.
We'll no doubt get the usual "we will learn lessons from this" tripe trotted out, as the fundamental lesson is never learned.....which is don't let inexperienced incompetent councillors anywhere near things they know nothing about.
Would you let bill fernie manage your house extension? No. So why let them near something of this nature ? They are supposed to be there to represent the people and protect them from this sort of farce, not be part of the cause of the problem.
And as for the Thurso High story, that came from a discussion while I was getting my tickets for the dance returned.
You may be happy living in a blunder land but others expect professionalism.
Hi, no ramp for disabled access, however there will be steps and a hoist specifically for disabled persons in addition to a ladder at the shallow end
I understand a steam room and sauna are included in the design.
Can't help but notice that some of the captions for the August 2015 photos state " Our new school takes shape".
It's not really satisfactory progress no matter how folk spin it. And the delays etc. can't all be laid at Councillors feet, HC employees who have responsibility for this project must be held accountable.
I agree its not satisfactory. None of the shall we say the cock ups for want of a better word are satisfactory. None of the delays, the mistakes, the lack of consultation, the list is endless is satisfactory. Some of the decision making can be questioned and the complete lack of information as to why the school is not yet open and what were the reasons is wholly unsatisfactory however.... As some will see IM trying to stay positive. Im trying to look on the bright side WHY because at the end of the day the children and the staff are still getting a new school with much better facilities much better equipment and in no way even as it stands at present is it anywhere near the dilapidated state the old school is now in.
There's a long list of who should take responsibility for this monumental goof of a project but they wont. Most of them are teflon coated and absolutely nothing is going to stick to them I aint no psychic but that's a given from this and other projects which have gone before. From the Scottish government right down to there are lessons to be learned from this however we always seem to hear that phrase lessons will be learned and they never are.
The phrase couldn't organise a pee up in a brewery often comes to mind however its nowhere near as bad as that .....yet.
Having spoken to staff they are on the whole pleased with the facilities. They are happy with the level of equipment being delivered and at the end of the day they are the main users of this building not all of us sitting on the sidelines.