Schools project reaches new milestone

Date published: 17/05/2005

New schools for hundreds of children in the borough, together with improved leisure facilities at Oulder Hill school, have taken another step closer.

Rochdale Council has announced that it has chosen the Axiom Education Consortium as preferred bidder to design, build and operate the new primary and special schools at Hollin, Hamer, Marland Hill and Oulder Hill.

The existing Oulder Hill School, sports and theatre facilities will also be remodelled and refurbished as part of the project. Councillor Colin Lambert, Lead Member for Children, Schools and Families said, "I am delighted that this major investment project is now in its final stages of negotiation."

The chosen consortium is made up of the following partners:

• Shepherd Construction Ltd - Construction contractor and co-sponsor
• OPERON - Facilities management contractor
• ABN AMRO Bank - Senior Funders and co-sponsor
• AEDAS Architects
  

The project is on timetable with contract close and building work due to commence at the end of 2005.

The models and design plans will be on display in Rochdale Town Hall Exchange from lunchtime on 6 June to lunchtime on 10 June, for anyone wishing to see what is planned.

The new Marland Hill School is due to open in September 2006 with the other new schools at Hamer, Hollin and Oulder Hill all opening in September 2007.