Council leader hopes Wick community will look after revamped toilets
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Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner is hoping the community will "pull together" to look after the new public conveniences in Wick town centre.
Work is well under way on the £395,000 scheme at Whitechapel Road and it is expected to be complete by late autumn.
The local authority announced at the end of March that a contract had been awarded to Norbloc Construction to undertake the full refurbishment of the toilets which have been closed since early 2020 after being targeted in a series of acts of vandalism.
Councillor Bremner, who represents Wick and East Caithness, has been assured that external CCTV surveillance will be installed by the time the project is finished to help with security.
He gave an update to members of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council at their July meeting on Monday night.
Councillor Bremner admitted it had been "a long struggle" but the project was going to plan.
“That's an asset we have needed in the town and I just hope that the community pulls together to be able to look after the asset and protect it," he told community councillors.
“I enquired about additional CCTV and I've had confirmation from the officers that the CCTV installation will be going ahead in time for that building to be opened.”
Councillor Bremner visited the site on Tuesday.
"I was delighted to be able to see the construction works that are under way," he said later. "There has been some real progress.
"The old water tanks that were located on the roof have been removed and the interior has been completely stripped out. The underpinning works to the floor of the building have also been completed.
"The new roof trusses are arriving soon and I’m sure that folk will see the change to the new roof profile in the next few weeks.
"I have been advised that works will continue towards a completion in late autumn.
"It was great to see the progress, given the considerable time it took to secure the finance and get it over the line. This is a really important project to improve our town centre and the whole riverside area."
As well as new fittings, upgraded services and the new roof covering, the revamped toilets will include showering and locker facilities.
