Ceremony ‘tops’ £60m Kings development
A‘MAJOR milestone’ has been reached in the development of a new £60m school with a ‘topping out’ ceremony.
The final bolt in the 1,350-tonne steel framework of the building work has been fitted at the King’s School Site, on Alderley Road, in Prestbury.
It means the traditional ceremony took place and construction is now half-way through, with completion set for May next year.
Builders Vinci Construction were joined by staff and pupils from the school for the occasion as well as dignitaries including Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs.
Martin Horton, Vinci’s project manager, said: “We are delighted with progress and we will be proudly handing over what is going to be a
magnificent time.
“It is a really exciting project for us to work on and it has been a pleasure today to welcome a group of pupils, parents and governors to show them the progress on their new school.
“The completion of the steel frame is a major milestone and we will now bring in a range of different trades to complete the concrete flooring, underfloor heating, brickwork, blockwork and drainage, before we start the landscaping.”
The 80-acre site will combine the current three into one with the other two - on Cumberland Street and Fence Avenue - being sold for housing to fund the development.
When completed it will have 350 rooms in a 16,000sq m main academic building and a sports centre that will include a 25m swimming pool.
The main hall will be able to host events both site, on for the school and the community.
King’s headmaster Dr Simon Hyde said: “This ceremony has allowed us to bring together and thank all those who have been involved in the project so far.
“This includes our advisors, architects, engineers, builders, governors, parents and former pupils, as well as our pupils who will benefit from this fantastic building in the years to come.
“I think it is fair to say that all were impressed with progress to date and excited for the future.”
Among those to officially tighten the final bolt was pupil Xanthe Watkin, five.