Leading UK firm Wates Construction International has been selected to develop a new extension and upgrade existing facilities at the British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi.

Award-winning Wates was granted the contract to build the Dh65 million ($17.7 million) extension in a joint venture with its UAE construction partner Al Fara’a General Contracting.

The British School Al Khubairat has a reputation as one of the leading schools in Abu Dhabi and Middle East. It was established in January 1968. The school moved to new purpose built facilities at its current location on Airport Road in 1980.

The 12,000 square metre extension will include new sports facilities, including a new swimming pool, start-of-the-art teaching space and other important facilities.

“We awarded the contract to Wates and Al Fara’a due to the extensive sector experience and expertise that they have building schools in the UK combined with their unparalleled local knowledge,” said British School Al Khubairat Principal Paul Coackley.

Building and demolition work, which begins on July 1, will require a two-year programme as the extension has to be built in two phases. Wates and Al Fara’a will demolish and develop new buildings in one quarter of the site. Once completed, teaching staff and students will move into these new facilities and vacate existing older buildings, which will be demolished to make way for new modern facilities.-TradeArabia News Service