Work to reinforce the roof of the gym halls at Castlehead High School in Paisley after the discovery of potentially dangerous concrete is now complete.
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) – a lightweight material that can be susceptible to failure when exposed to moisture – was identified at the Camphill facility last October.
A contract for strengthening works – worth in excess of £800,000 – was approved by Renfrewshire Council’s finance, resources and customer services policy board in April.
A final update to elected members has since confirmed the last hall was handed back to the school earlier this month – bringing what has been described as a “complex” project to a conclusion.
“It’s unfortunate that the project was required in the first place but the most important consideration is the safety of the pupils and staff using the facilities.”
The agreed programme of work involved the installation of new steel beams above the gym halls to strengthen the structure and improve the condition.
While the local authority had initially hoped the project would be finished before the end of the summer holidays, councillors were subsequently told in May that would not be possible due to the complexity of the work.
With the work now finished, there are not expected to be any further updates made to elected members.
Councillor MacLaren added: “The project’s completion is obviously good news and hopefully this will mean things will be back to normal at the school.”
Last December, the council confirmed RAAC was not found at any of its other properties.
A statement said at the time: “A second phase of assessments and inspections across our schools and early learning and childcare centres in October [2023] identified the presence of RAAC in the gym hall roof at Castlehead High School.
“We have now completed our work to determine its presence at council buildings, council housing and properties within the housing revenue account.
“I am pleased to be able to advise its presence has not been identified at any further properties.”
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