Thurso High School’s games hall changing rooms to be demolished, Highland Council confirms
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Changing rooms at the games hall in Thurso High School are due to be demolished this year, it has been confirmed by Highland Council.
The local authority is preparing documents to go out to tender with the aim of awarding a contract and getting the work undertaken.
A spokeswoman said: "The council is currently preparing contract documentation to go out to tender for the demolition of the changing rooms. The intention is that the demolition work, once tendered and awarded, will be carried out this year."
She also confirmed that the games hall is “not being let out at present”.
“There is no access to changing rooms or toilet facilities within the building the games hall is located in. In addition there is no access to a water supply to clean the games hall.”
She added: “The council’s Lets Booking Team has worked with local groups to offer alternatives to customers.”
The council was responding to claims – published by the John O’Groat Journal – that the shortage of indoor sports facilities in the Thurso area is having “a serious impact” on local clubs and groups. The problem was also said to be affecting people’s “mental well-being, children’s social interactions and future opportunities,” according to the chairwoman of the Thurso Netball Club, Hannah Perriewood, who has raised the issue with MSP Maree Todd and local councillors.
Mrs Perriewood said the Thurso High School games hall was used by local sports clubs and groups but has not been let to them since September 2023 following an oil leak in a boiler which has been replaced. The premises are only used by pupils.
“One of the reasons given for the lets being disallowed is there are no showers available but there are temporary changing rooms and toilets in the huts next to the games hall which school pupils are using when they have PE lessons," said Mrs Perriewood.
“Toilets are also available in the main school building. There seems to be no compelling reason that this arrangement cannot be put in place for lets to clubs and adult groups, as access to the changing rooms doesn’t require access to the main school building.”
She argued that groups which promote health and well-being in the community “are being disadvantaged and the high school is losing income for what seems like no valid reason.”
Mrs Perriewood said the clubs affected locally include Thurso Netball, Caithness Badminton, Thurso United, Caithness Ladies Football team, Caithness Athletics, Thurso Surf Club and Caithness Vikings junior and senior basketball.
She explained that Caithness Badminton Club has had to move its training to Noss Primary School in Wick while Thurso Netball Club has had to join the Wick club’s training session at Wick High School. Mrs Perriewood said it is “most likely there will be no games hall or gyms available in Thurso and Wick” this month during the school exams.
Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor Matthew Reiss said: “The council should be doing its utmost to help and accommodate the groups and doing what it can to use the facilities we have got.”
