The Highland Council has announced that the contract to build a brand new secondary school for Alness Academy has been awarded and the project is under way.

The Design and Build, Development Agreement (DBDA) will provide a new building for 660 pupils and will be equipped with sports facilities, two 3G pitches, a 25m swimming pool, a games hall and a gymnasium. These facilities will be managed by High Life Highland and will be available to the community and Alness United to use out with school hours.

The contract has a value of £33,766,135 with a funding contribution of £14,503,544 from the Scottish Government, through the Scotland's Schools for the Future Programme managed by the Scottish Futures Trust.

-- Advertisement --

The development is a hub North Scotland project and will be carried out by contractor, Keir Construction.

The project is due to be completed in the spring of 2020.

Vice Chair of the Care, Learning and Housing Committee, Councillor Linda Munro said: "We welcome the news of the exciting project getting underway. The pupils of Alness will greatly benefit from the new facilities and so will the wider community."

Chair of the Ross and Cromarty Committee, Councillor Fiona Robertson added: "It's great to see this project has commenced and taking shape. Alness Academy is a major priority for The Highland Council as this is a welcome milestone for the Council, pupils, staff and families of this community school; which is at the heart of the local area."

The four Cromarty Firth Ward Councillors are delighted with the excellent progress and are looking forward to the young people moving in to the new school in the spring of 2020.