£395k contract awarded to revamp public toilets in Wick
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Work to reopen public toilets in Wick will get under way next month after a contract for the works was awarded to a local company.
The toilets have been closed since early 2020 after being targeted in a series of acts of vandalism.
Norbloc Construction Ltd, based in Halkirk, will now undertake the full refurbishment of the public conveniences at Whitechapel Road.
The £395,000 works involve bringing the toilets back into use by undertaking ground stabilisation works followed by a complete strip-out of existing fittings, installation of new fittings, upgrade of services and a new roof covering.
It had been suggested earlier this year that the works, originally estimated to cost around £250,000, could be scrapped in favour of a new modular building at a cost of around £280,000 after the price of refurbishment looked set to rise to £400,000.
Council leader Raymond Bremner, a Wick and East Caithness councillor who has been working on the project for some time, said: “I am very pleased that this contract has been awarded and am looking forward to the works starting next month. The project will provide modern facilities for the local community as well as showering and toilet facilities for visitors and tourists.
“The upgrades to the public convenience in Wick are sorely needed and will provide much improved facilities for the town centre area.”
The project is being funded by support from Place Based Investment funding, the Highland Coastal Communities Fund, Community Regeneration fund, Visitor Management fund and from the council’s capital programme.
Norbloc Construction Ltd managing director Gavin Sinclair said: “We are delighted to be working with Highland Council on this project which will provide much-needed public toilet facilities for both locals and visitors to the area.
“We will be working with local sub-contractors and suppliers to undertake the works.”
Works are expected to start on site in April and take around four months to complete.
Design services have been provided by Leslie Hutt Architects and Fairhurst Structural Engineers with project management and site supervision being provided by the Highland Council’s property team.
