£7.5m Kilncraigs refurbishment creates 136 jobs

Hamish Hutchinson • Published 26 Jan 2012 08:00 2 Comments

KILNCRAIGS could become the official headquarters of Clackmannanshire Council as early as Spring next year.

Work to refurbish the 1936 building near Alloa Tower is expected to begin next month creating 136 construction jobs.

Alloa-based builders, Marshall Construction, has been chosen as the main contractor for the site.

It is part of a £7.5 million investment by the council to refurbish the former mill and the former Paton's School for business purposes.

Councillor Eddie Carrick, Sustainability portfolio holder said, "The Kilncraigs development comes on the back of the successful Imagine Alloa project which brought significant improvements to the town centre. It also follows the opening of the new Forth Valley College campus, the ongoing work to create a modern library and customer service centre at the Speirs Centre and Alloa Town Hall's refurbishment.

"I am confident that our faith in the town centre is encouraging others, including those in the private sector, to invest and make Alloa a better place to visit and do business. The recently announced state-of-the-art dental centre which is coming to Drysdale Street is a good example."

The council agreed in principle in September 2010 to progress with the ambitious project which will eventually see all local authority staff currently based at Greenfield and Lime Tree House being located to Kilncraigs in 2013.

Last year a property developer project manager and design team were tasked with undertaking the design and feasibility exercise.

Tenders were sought and Marshall Construction was confirmed as the successful bidder in the lead-up to Christmas.

The firm has pledged to provide additional apprentice positions, unpaid work placements arranged through Clackmannanshire Works as well as other benefits for the local community during the construction phase.

Scott Alexander, Marshall Construction managing director said, "We are delighted to have been selected as main contractor for this local prestigious project and look forward to working closely with the council and their development partner.

"We have a long association with the council and are pleased to have this opportunity to continue and develop that relationship.

"This project comes at a time where there are unprecedented challenges within the construction sector and therefore it is all the more pleasing that Marshall have been selected. This project will provide continued employment for our locally employed workforce engaged on the project as well as creating new employment opportunities in partnership with the council."

The move to Kilncraigs is expected to lower the council's carbon emissions and increase flexible and mobile working opportunities for staff.

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This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 25 Jan 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  James1967
  Unregistered User
  Jan 29, 11:58
  Report comment

  this should be fun. Theres not enough car parking space already at Greenfield, Lime Tree house and Kilncraigs. The town centre is going to be stuffed with council workers cars!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 2

• 

  Warren peace
  Unregistered User
  Jan 31, 23:11
  Report comment

  Lets be honest we do need more Council pen pushers though, after all they do a great job for community. It doesnt really matter that some employees within the authority have a ratio of 5 bosses for every front line staff employee thats a good thing is it not?, tell you what though wouldnt mind being the supplier of coffee to the council offices i would be worth a fortune.
  
  Mindyou they do keep tesco in profit, go into tesco at any given time of the day and you will always see at least three or four of them bagging a bargain. Still must not complain they have turned this this town around, i think its great what they have done within the town centre in the last few years, all those great stores, new college train station,etc etc, and by ten in the morning you cant find a parking space, come 4in the evening the towns in gridlock...I say well done town planners and council officials you have clearly done your homework and doing a great job.Keep it up.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 4

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