Contractor Appointed at Port Ellen Playing Fields
Posted 11 May 2023 by Bruach Architects
Contractor Appointed at Port Ellen Playing Fields
11 May 2023
The new build community facilities for South Islay Development at Port Ellen on Islay have reached another milestone recently, with the appointment of the main contractor who will take the project forwards on site from June this year.
Bruach Architects have been involved in the project since its earliest stages in early 2019, undertaking a feasibility study into the replacement of the former pavilion and to investigate potential uses for the community-owned playing fields. This involved extensive community consultation alongside Community Links Scotland to establish what was needed for the local community and also the large number of tourists who visit the island. Following the granting of Planning Permission last year, work has progressed to develop the detailed and technical design, and identify a contractor through a competitive tender process.
The site has been well used by the local community and visitors for many years, since the early 1900s when it opened as a nine hole golf course. Today the site is home to a putting green, a bowling green, an enclosed tennis court, a grass rugby/ football pitch, a children’s play area, and a pitch and putt course. Also on the site is the Ramsay Memorial Hall, which is regularly used for community functions and events.
The proposed development includes a new build café with flexible meeting rooms/ offices and WCs; new storage, changing and shower facilities for the playing fields; a relocated children’s play area to make space for an increased motorhome parking area with its own toilet and shower block, providing a place for tourists to pitch up, and generating a revenue stream for the community organisation.
In additon to being the project architects, Bruach Architects are also lead consultant, principal designer and contract administrator on the £1.9m project. The design team brings a range of experience on community and leisure buildings, quantity surveyors Armour Construction Consultants, civil and structural engineers Narro Associates, and services engineers Kilbryde Consulting Engineers. Joining the project team most recently are main contractors Procast, who are preparing to make a start on the construction works next month.
Funding for the project has been provided by a range of generous supporters including The Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprises, Argyll and Bute Council, Visit Scotland, Glenmorangie, The Garfield Weston Foundation, Insiring Scotland, Islay Energy Trust, Elixir Distillers, Suez Community Fund, and SITCo.
