Future of Thurso High building due to be decided at council meeting next week
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A decision on the future of a Thurso High School building – closed last month after concerns about its safety – is due next week.
Local Highland councillor Ron Gunn said the reports have been done on block "A" which is adjacent to Ormlie Road.
"A decision on what to do with the building will be made at the meeting – either it will be repaired or it will have to be taken down," he said.
Speaking at Thursday's Castletown and District Community Council meeting, Mr Gunn, a Thurso and Northwest Caithness Highland councillor, said inspections have been undertaken at block "A" and the other school buildings.
"All the reports have been done and a decision now has to be made about what to do with that block. The other buildings don't need to be shut but what life span do they have," he asked.
Mr Gunn said the type of concrete used to build block "A" can become porous when exposed to moist conditions and pointed out that three other schools in the Highlands used the same material – Pennyland in Thurso, Dornoch Academy and Golspie High.
"The only one they have problems with is Thurso. A lot of decisions have to be made but block 'A' is the concern at the moment," he said.
Mr Gunn pointed out that alternative accommodation is being provided to replace the affected three-storey building. Temporary units are to be brought in while planning permission is being sought for additional "semi-permanent" structures, he said.
Community council chairman Billy Dunbar described the situation as "not ideal" especially as it involves the pupils' education.
Thurso and Northwest Caithness Highland councillor Matthew Reiss wants "unequivocal answers" about the future of Thurso High at the meeting on December 8.
He said questions need to be answered about the closure of the block at Thurso High and is pressing for the "likely projected lifespan of the remaining buildings".
Block "A" was constructed in the 1960s as an extension to the school. The decision to close it was made on the recommendation of specialist structural engineers.
Mr Reiss reckoned it would cost between £7 million and £8 million "at a conservative estimate" to replace the block and around £70 million for a new school.
Meanwhile, his fellow Thurso councillor, Karl Rosie, has urged the local authority to commit to building a new high school.
He called on his Thurso and Northwest Caithness colleagues Matthew Reiss, Ron Gunn and Struan Mackie to work with him and external partners to deliver a replacement for the existing complex after the structural problems came to light.
As previously reported, councillor Rosie voiced his "frustration" with progress to date and said: "We’ve got to work our socks off in finding solutions here.
“The opportunity is there to work in partnership. We have to be innovative in examining what possibilities there are, including in the private sector."
Highland Council was unavailable for comment but previously said discussions are continuing with specialist contractors about the "nature and extent of the issues and the potential temporary and permanent solutions."
"This will then be taken forward via a full options appraisal process to confirm feasibility, timescales and cost implications."
Thurso High, which has around 700 pupils, was officially opened in October, 1958. It serves Thurso and the surrounding rural areas, including Castletown, Halkirk and Reay.
