A Mountain To Climb For New Thurso High School Building - Demolition On the Cards for Dangerous Block

31st May 2023

The Caithness committee of Highland council meeting on 29th May 2023 and on the agenda was a huge problem for councillors. What can be done about the Thurso High school problem of the condemned block.

The council have moved fast to get new classrooms on the site but what is the long-term future for the school as the council has huge financial problems for capital spending in coming years.

Undoubtedly the council needs help from Scottish Government but they also have a huge financial black home as stated recently by the Scottish Fiscal Commission.

So what is to be done immediately for the dangerous block in the high school.

Several options were put forward by officials for discussion by he councillors. Demolition is needed and decision required as soon as possible rather than trying to do remedial works that would be very expensive.

The debate lasted a long time with councillors stating the realisation that the problem would not be easily solved in he sort -term.

Demolition may take place next year in the summer holidays once a contract has been signed after going out to tender. In addition a master plan is to be requested for the longer term.

The full council paper can be read HERE

To see the issues face by councillors over what can be done see the web cast on this page The item is number one on the agenda..

The final decision may well take several years as many other areas have demands for new schools and other issues for capital spend such as roads.