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Inverness primary school gets new dining hall and kitchen – costing almost £1m


By Andrew Dixon

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Pupil council members along with Highland councillors and council officers at the opening of Dalneigh Primary's new dining hall and kitchen...Picture: Callum Mackay. Image No. 044174.
Pupil council members along with Highland councillors and council officers at the opening of Dalneigh Primary's new dining hall and kitchen...Picture: Callum Mackay. Image No. 044174.

Pupils from Dalneigh Primary in Inverness helped mark the opening of the extension of the school's new dining hall and commercial kitchen.

Construction costs were just under £1 million and work was completed ahead of schedule.

The project has seen the creation of a dining hall with a capacity for 350 children over three sittings. It also means meals can be prepared at the school, rather than brought in from elsewhere.

Head teacher Rhona MacCormack said: “I’m delighted that work is complete.

"The additional space and inclusion of an on-site commercial kitchen is going to make such a difference to our lunchtime preparation and pupil experience as the number of children taking school meals is on the rise.

"Freeing up the hall will allow us to have lunchtime clubs and sports activities going on without affecting the serving of meals.”

Inverness West Councillor Alex Graham said: “This is a great day for Dalneigh Primary.

"Previously food was prepared at a nearby school and taken to Dalneigh. Pupils will now benefit from the new commercial kitchen and enjoy meals freshly prepared on-site.

"The new dining hall is a real bonus, providing better facilities and enabling the existing hall space to be used for other activities all day.”

Morgan Sindall Construction was appointed under a design and build contract and the works were managed and supervised by Highland Council’s property team.

Stuart Parker, managing director of Morgan Sindall Construction in Scotland, said: “We’re very pleased to hand over this latest project for our longstanding and valued customer, the Highland Council. Delivering it on time is particularly gratifying and everyone involved can be proud of a job well done.”

Councillor John Finlayson, chairman of the council's care, learning and housing committee, said: “Delivering this much-needed addition to Dalneigh Primary School is a fine example of our priorities programme ‘a place to thrive’ where we use innovative and flexible approaches when refurbishing and renovating our Highland schools in becoming more sustainable and making best use of the available budget.”


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