New Balivanich school is completed 29/7/11
Construction work on the new Balivanich school is now complete and the premises has been officially handed over to Western Isles Council.
Some of 100 or so pupils who will walk through the doors for the first lessons on 18th August were not born when a violent storm ripped through the Uists.
The hurricane in January 2005 created a huge sea surge causing the sea to invade the low lying west coast of the chain of islands.
Archie and Murdina Macpherson died along with their two young children Hannah and Andrew, as well as Murdina's father Calum Campbell when their vehicles were overwhelmed by surging floodwater at Iochdar.
Harbours, roads and causeways were also damaged while huge waves showered shingle whipped up from the seabed into the present Balivanich School, perched precipitously close on the Atlantic sea front .
Until safety improvements were made, pupils were taught at the nearby military garrison operated by defence contractor Qinetiq.
Western Isles Council was granted permission from the then Scottish Executive to borrow cash to build on a safe site.
Northern Irish consortium FMP finished the building on time in about just 54 despite a raft of suppliers going bust including a rush to obtain new windows after Geddes Windows collapsed.
The works are also on budget and to the required quality and performance standards.
Cllr Norman Macdonald, chair of the Western Isles Council’s schools’ project, Sgoiltean Ùra, said: “We are delighted that the first of the six new planned schools has been delivered on time and on budget, and look forward to the remainder being handed over in due course, starting with the new Point Primary School in approximately two weeks time.”
Council leader Angus Campbell said: “This whole project has been about providing quality education in quality buildings and I am delighted that we have reached this stage on budget and on time.”
The handover means FMP’s Benbecula squad won its friendly rivalry race with the team erecting the Point community school which is is due to be completed within three weeks. Sir E Scott School in Harris is on schedule for a December finish. Schools in Barvas, Stornoway and Daliburgh should be ready next summer.