Building Briefs – June 15th

Aparthotel brand Roomzzz, is set to expand into Scotland with a brand-new aparthotel confirmed within the £1bn Edinburgh St James development scheduled to open in 2021.

The new Roomzzz Edinburgh aparthotel will take prime position within the 1.7 million sq ft Edinburgh St James development in the heart of the city.

With 73 luxury apartments planned, from smart studios to luxury penthouses, Roomzzz Edinburgh will give guests the luxury of a boutique hotel with the convenience and home comforts of a serviced apartment.

Featuring a rooftop terrace and balconies to every apartment, guests will appreciate views of the city’s historical landscape, including Edinburgh’s highest peak, Arthur’s Seat.

First cable laid on £1.1bn Caithness-Moray transmission scheme

The first cable has been laid on the £1.1 billion Caithness-Moray transmission project in the Moray Firth.

The purpose-built NKT Victoria vessel successfully laid the first High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cables on the scheme, which will see a further 1,200MW of renewable generation capacity connected to the grid upon completion in 2018.

A recent study estimated the project will contribute around £634.5m to the UK economy.

Work to start on A93 carriageway resurfacing

Work is to start on a carriageway resurfacing scheme in Perth and Kinross.

The two-phase scheme will see the A93 heading towards Glenshee repaired over a three-week period.

The first stage of work is underway and will run until Friday, 16 June. This section covers the A93 at Lair Brae, north of both the pottery and the junction with the B951.

The second phase will run from 19 – 30 June, covering the section north of the Spittal of Glenshee at Rhiedorrach. Diversions will be in place via the A93, A926, A90, A92, A957 and back onto the A93.

Plans unveiled to expand early childcare facilities in Falkirk

Plans have been unveiled to expand early learning and childcare provision in Falkirk.

The council will spend funding this year on a number of projects, which include:

Four pilot projects will also get underway in August 2017 at Wallacestone, Bantaskin, Victoria and Nethermains primary schools.

The council will now prepare an expansion plan which will include details of infrastructure, estimated costs and additional staff needed to meet the increase in early year and childcare hours by 2020.

Graham Construction unveils sensory garden for additional needs children at Glasgow school

A sensory garden for the children of Croftcroighn Primary School has been officially unveiled by senior representatives from Graham Construction.

Croftcroighn’s head teacher, Mrs Margaret McFadden, contacted Graham Construction requesting possible assistance in the regeneration of a particular area within the school campus which had fallen into disrepair due to its lack of suitability and design.

The school specialises in the education and support of primary and nursery children with a wide range of complex difficulties arising from learning, health, physical, sensory and communication difficulties.

Understanding the importance that a sensory garden would bring to the pupils of Croftcroighn Primary, Graham Construction has designed and created a tranquil outdoor space, especially adapted to suit the individual needs of the children who attend the school.

A winding path directs the children through the garden on a journey, filled with a variety of sensory experiences and activities, including a story-time gazebo and picnic area, providing a haven of calm and relaxation where needed.

Graham Construction, which is celebrating 15 years of operations in Scotland, is currently engaged in the construction of the Sport, Health & Wellbeing Facility at the University of Strathclyde and nearing completion of its Bath Street Student Accommodation project in the city.

The garden was opened at an unveiling ceremony attended by Graham Construction contracts manager, Tony Dixon and procurement manager, Stephen Chisholm.

Thomson Gray raises thousands for vulnerable children

Scottish construction consultancy Thomson Gray Construction Consultants has raised more than £6,000 to help children affected by loss and trauma by hosting a five-a-side football tournament.

Sixteen teams from a variety of businesses across Central Scotland turned out at Powerleague in Sighthill, Edinburgh on June 2 to take part in ‘Thomson Gray Seamab Fives – The Dynamo Tournament’.

The event was organised in support of Seamab, a Kinross-shire children’s charity which cares for and educates children with complex needs, following experiences of abuse, neglect, trauma and loss. The tournament name was chosen by one of the children.

The funds raised from team entry fees, alongside pitch sponsorship, a raffle and an auction will be used to provide the children at Seamab, aged between five and thirteen, with new mountain bikes, outdoor activities and adventures, and short breaks away across the summer.

Winners of the tournament were FES Group, with Clark Contracts coming a close second. Special mention also went to Will Rudd Davidson who, on top of entering two teams, filled a space left by a cancellation the day before the tournament - effectively ending their chances of winning the tournament, but ensuring there were enough teams.