THE planned opening of Ardrossan's new super school has been pushed back to 2026 - while a multi-million-pound tender for preparatory works at the North Shore development site has been re-issued.
The Herald revealed last summer that the project to build the Ardrossan Community Campus on the former Shell Oil land, merging Ardrossan Academy and Winton Primary School and also housing a library and swimming pool, has been delayed.
The Covid pandemic and construction industry issues have proved problematic for North Ayrshire Council (NAC) as it embarks on the most significant school investment in the region's history.
However, there are signs of progress being made ahead of a formal planning application being submitted, which should offer the first glimpse of what the campus may look like.
Enabling works, including the construction of a coastal revetment, coastal pathway, utilities, drainage, earthworks, and road infrastructure, are set to start in late August this year - around a year-and-a-half later than originally scheduled.
Work on the educational campus, as well as further residential and commercial development, cannot begin until the enabling works have finished, and an initial timescale of nine months has been set for this part of the project.
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The tender, now valued at more than £21 million, according to Public Contracts Scotland, was due to have been awarded last year after it was launched in November 2021 but the council admitted delays to the wider project were "inevitable" after just two bids were received, neither of which were successful.
A deadline for interested parties has been set for the end of February.
A separate contract notice has also been published for the appointment of a main contractor for the design and build of the new school.
Worth an estimated £73 million, the contract has a start date of August 2023 and a campus completion date of June 2026.
It is planned that the new campus will be ready for August 2026.
NAC will shortlist bidders during the first stage of the procurement process before the invitation to tender is issued at the second stage.
READ MORE: Lockhart Campus celebrates 'official' opening - 18 months after welcoming first pupils
Meanwhile, the council is hosting two drop-in consultation events this month allowing people to view and discuss the campus plans and ask questions.
Members of the public can have their say by attending Saltcoats Town Hall on Thursday, February 9, from 5pm-8pm, and on Friday, February 10, between 1pm and 4pm.
Councillor Shaun Macaulay, cabinet member for education, said: “The development is an exciting one and has captured the imagination of people in Ardrossan and beyond.
“There is a lot of work to be done and we want to ensure the school community, residents and stakeholders are kept up to date with developments.
“These drop-in events will provide another opportunity for people to learn more about the plans.”
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