3Rs Launch
21/02/08
Aberdeen City Council has officially launched the innovative 3Rs Project (Reorganise, Renovate and Rebuild).
The £120m PPP (public private partnership) project is the first major step in the regeneration of Aberdeen’s school estate and will see two new secondary schools, seven new primaries and one refurbished primary developed in the next few years.
The council has signed an agreement with NYOP Education (Aberdeen) Ltd to design, build, finance and operate these schools over the 30-year concession period.
The consortium comprises Nysir, an Icelandic property company, Operon, a facilities management company based in Yorkshire and Pihl UK Ltd, a major contractor based in Denmark.
Significant community and sports facilities are incorporated in the builds as are a very high level of sustainability in the design, construction and operation of the structures.
The new community facilities will be open to members of the public during school hours as well as at evenings and weekends.
The buildings are designed to be accessible but areas that are not in use after school can be locked to minimise energy consumption and prevent unauthorised access.
Wider use of the new buildings by communities and other public services will bring joined up service delivery to the heart of local communities.
The outside spaces will be carefully designed to provide safe, stimulating places for learning, play, socialising.
Every school will also be provided with a fully equipped kitchen for the on-site preparation of meals to support the Hungry for Success programme’s recommendations for catering.
All the will boast Scandinavian standards of insulation, an innovative lighting management system linked to ambient levels of daylight, under-floor heating and the ability to conserve and use rainwater.
3Rs Project Board Chairman Councillor Kevin Stewart said: “This is the beginning of the regeneration of the school estates and hails a new era for education in Aberdeen.
“The designs are innovative and creative as well as being environmentally friendly and sustainable and each of the buildings will be different, to best serve the needs of each local community.
“I believe that this project sets the standard for modern education in Scotland and will offer our youngsters the very best of facilities for years to come.”
Council Leader Kate Dean added: “This is a great example of the kind international cooperation that continues to ensure Aberdeen's prominence in the global marketplace. I am pleased to welcome our Danish colleagues who bring with them a wealth of experience in innovative building techniques never before used in the UK.
"I am convinced that the 3Rs Project brings us a step closer to our commitment to being recognised as a leading council in northern Europe."
If you have any queries regarding this, or any other news story, please contact Aberdeen City Council on: 01224 522000.
