Building Briefs – June 21st

Members of the public are to have the opportunity to see proposals for The HALO development in Kilmarnock at a consultation event on June 29.

Spearheaded by Kilmarnock-based developers Klin Group, the HALO Urban Park project will see a centre of excellence for digital learning and skills developed on the site of the former Diageo bottling plant.

Full details of plans for The HALO will be on display in The Partnership Room, Ayrshire College, Hill Street, Kilmarnock, between 2.00pm and 7.00pm.

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Members of the development team will also be on hand to explain the plans further and to answer any queries. Members of the public will also be able to leave their comments at the event.

 

Morris and Spottiswood wins two new maintenance frameworks deals

Contractor Morris and Spottiswood has secured two new maintenance framework deals with Iomart and Aldi.

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Under the Iomart contract, the business will deliver routine PPM, Compliance Testing, HV & UPS support alongside refrigeration and specialist services to Iomart’s Glasgow HQ & data centre.

In addition, new services provided to Aldi include reactive and planned maintenance to 30 Aldi stores in North West England, as well as the company’s ‘Man in a Van’ routine maintenance solution.

Aldi has over 700 stores in the UK and plans to increase its portfoilio to 1,000 by 2022.

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Apprentices build on achievements with awards success

More than 20 apprentices from City Building have been recognised for their achievements over the past year at the construction firm’s annual awards ceremony.

The ceremony, which was held in the Banqueting Hall of the Glasgow City Chambers on June 13, saw more than 300 people come together to celebrate the hardworking young men and women.

A total of 22 accolades were awarded in categories ranging from Best Electrician, to Best Plumber and Best Administrator.

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One of the most notable stars of the evening was 21-year-old heating engineer Jonnie Donnelly who was named Overall Apprentice of the Year. Judges were impressed by his technical abilities, commendable work ethic, positive attitude to college courses and knowledge of construction sites.

Jonnie, who was also shortlisted at the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) Awards, has been working on some of City Building’s biggest developments including the £18 million Clyde Campus and £12m Broomhill Primary School, where he uses emerging technologies to install heating and ventilation.

On the night, winners were rewarded with prizes donated from industry partners Grahams, Edmundson Electrical, Craighead Building Supplies, Bell Decorating Group, Headlam and BSS Supplies.

 

Loch-side terrace launched at Cameron House

Scottish resort Cameron House has announced the opening of the new Great Scots Bar Terrace, an open-air space overlooking Loch Lomond.

The brand new outdoor terrace showcases panoramic views from the hotel, across Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

Architecture firm 3DReid managed the design and build of the project, whilst Greyline Design managed the exterior FFE design.

The terrace accommodates 60 seated or 120 standing guests and access is granted through the Great Scots Bar or via a staircase at the front of the hotel.

The completion of the outdoor-terrace marks the end of phase two of refurbishment at Cameron House. Phase three of the ongoing refurbishment is still underway with a redesign of the hotel’s bedrooms. Over a 12 month period Cameron House has invested £4 million into the resort.

 

Clark Contracts completes Kilmardinny House transformation

The £2 million transformation of Category A-listed Kilmardinny House into a wedding, conference and arts venue has been completed by Clark Contracts.

The project included a new garden pavilion extension, providing a modern, flexible space and enhancing the venue as a centre for local arts, performance and community groups.

It will be able to accommodate a range of activities, including performances, exhibitions, conferences and weddings for up to 170 seated guests.

The existing Category A-listed house was partially refurbished, both inside and out, including full redecoration, new platform lift and ICT network, stonework repairs, refurbishment of windows and renewal of boiler and radiators.

Clark Contracts has delivered the project for hub West Scotland and East Dunbartonshire Council.

 

Dundee Michelin factory to expand with new investment

The Scottish Government has revealed a £16.5 million investment in Michelin’s Dundee facility to support additional premises and new manufacturing equipment.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced today that the new project will offer an opportunity for a new manufacturing technique that will deliver significant environmental improvements including new technology to reduce CO2 emissions by 7,140 tonnes per year.

Scottish Enterprise is supporting the project with a £4.5m Environmental Protection Grant with the company investing £12m into the site, supporting the increasing demand for larger tyres.

 

First Minister opens new arts centre

Nicola Sturgeon has marked the reopening of Dunoon Burgh Hall as a multi-million pound contemporary arts centre following an almost decade long transformation.

The First Minister visited the facility in the seaside town in Argyll and Bute as it launched its first exhibition featuring work by Andy Warhol.

The 1874 listed building, the first theatre in Argyll, fell into disrepair and lay unused for decades before the John McAslan Family Trust, working alongside a local community group, secured ownership for £1 in 2008 and renovated it.

 

Blades Research Hub to support development of next generation turbine blades

A £2.3 million research partnership between the Glasgow-based Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and the University of Bristol could help unlock larger and more powerful wind turbines than ever before.

Forming the Wind Blade Research Hub (WBRH), the five-year partnership has its sights set on building more efficient blades that harness more energy from the wind, which will prove crucial as the industry prepares to nearly double the power of offshore wind turbines, from 8MW today to 13-15MW by 2025.

Phase one of the industry-leading programme of strategic research and development will investigate blade materials and manufacturing technology, blade integrity, blade design and performance.

It is also expected that the WBRH will provide a blueprint for future industry/academic collaborations in areas such as electrical infrastructure, foundations and powertrains.

The Hub will be supported by a group of PhD and EngD students, a post-doctoral researcher and a lecturer from the University of Bristol, working alongside the Catapult’s blades research team.

 

Dundee set for £200,000 cycling and walking infrastructure work

More than £200,000 of improvements to Dundee’s cycling and walking infrastructure that will help keep pedestrians and bike users safe could be spent in the coming months.

The cash, a £203,000 boost from the Scottish Government as part of the cycling, walking and safer streets initiative will be invested across the city this financial year.

Money awarded last year was used to install dropped kerbs throughout the city, introduce speed activated signs, footway works near Dalmahoy Drive and for various minor cycling and walking improvements. It also supported cycling schemes on Trades Lane and to provide solar studs along Coupar Angus Road.

The proposed programme of works promotes cycling, walking and safer streets, and as a result aims to reduce car dependence and improve Dundee’s air quality.

This year a total of £40,000 has been allocated from the grant for lowered kerbs and footway improvements, £63,000 for pedestrian access and safety measures, £10,000 for outdoor access and £90,000 for cycling projects.

Councillors will meet to discuss the funding at the city development committee on June 26.

 

Selkirk town centre building renovations completed

Works on a prominent Selkirk town centre building have been completed.

The external refurbishment of the Market Place corner block - which includes the Fleece Bar and Kitchen - was part-funded by Selkirk Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), with the building deemed a priority for the town.

As a result, Selkirk CARS brought various parties together to ensure the renovation took place, with the works completed ahead of last week’s Selkirk Common Riding Day.

 

Further funding for Ness Islands improvements approved

Further funding has been approved for improvement works at the Ness Islands amenity area in Inverness.

An additional £73,183 will be put towards a £225,000 fund for improvements and repairs to paths, bridges, banks and trees on the islands.

Path repairs costing £54,015 will commence at the end of June and river bank erosion works costing £52,870 will start after the end June.

The additional funding will enable £169,259 works on the bridges to be carried out in conjunction with the bank erosion work.

Amenities manager South with the council’s community services, Debbie Sutton, recently informed members of the City of Inverness area committee of £22,039 tree works that have been completed.

 

Work on Aberdeen zoo improvement project complete

Work on a £750,000 zoo improvement scheme in Aberdeen is now complete.

The renovation and expansion project was carried out at Pets’ Corner in Hazlehead Park.

Features included the replacement of the roof over both parts of the buildings, internal alterations and refurbishment, the installation of new fish and reptile tanks, new external access ramp and paths, and an upgrade to the staff facilities.

The new aquarium and reptile section will be open on July 1 and work will finish on the education room shortly afterwards.

 

Dumbarton resurfacing scheme to begin

Scotland TranServ is to begin a £120,000 resurfacing project in Dumbarton.

The company will start work to address structural cracking and potholes on 750 metres of carriageway along the A82 Strowan’s Road to Garshake Road.

The scheme will take place between 8pm - 6am from June 26 to July 2.

 

Curtis Moore adds sparkling support to charity lunch

Roofing and cladding contractor Curtis Moore has sponsored the Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBH Scotland) annual Ladies who give an F* lunch with an interactive dinner game, offering guests the chance to win a pair of diamond earrings.

The afternoon fundraiser was part of SBH Scotland’s Honorary Patron Gordon Ramsay’s appeal where F is for Fundraising. This year’s event raised over £21,000 for the charity which supports families with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus with its specialist services across the country.

Curtis Moore sponsored the ‘Rox in a Box’ segment of the lunch, where ladies could purchase an earring box and when instructed, opened it for a chance to win a pair of diamond pear-shaped earrings worth £500 from luxury jeweller Rox.

One lucky winner, Laura Reid, took the earrings home, while three runners-up received a bottle of Prosecco.

Yvonne Devlin, financial director and owner of Curtis Moore, said: “Curtis Moore has been involved in fundraising for SBH Scotland for more than 10 years. This year we wanted to do something a little different and we were excited to add this bit of sparkle to the Ladies who give an F lunch as it’s always a fabulous day out that we all enjoy.”

 

Showhome gardens to be designed by local schools

Pupils from schools and Kilmacolm and Kilbarchan are being given the chance to turn their dream garden into a reality.

David Wilson Homes has launched a competition with St Columba’s School and Kilbarchan Primary School – with pupils asked to design two showhome gardens.

One winner from each school will be selected and the design will be brought to life at David Wilson Homes’ Weirs Wynd development in Brookfield.

The housebuilder is launching two new showhomes at the development this autumn. And with each boasting spacious gardens, they decided to turn to local youngsters for inspiration.