News / Business collapse mars observatory opening
THE NEW Fair Isle Bird Observatory (FIBO) has welcomed its first guests after the official opening of the £4 million facility at the weekend.
Jo and David Sutherland, from Huxter in Shetland, disembarked from the inter island flight on Monday morning, marking the start of a new era of bird watching and tourism on the island.
The opening of the observatory is overshadowed by the collapse of the main contractor, Orkney building firm Andrew Wilson Electrical, which will leave many islanders out of pocket and some facing bankruptcy.
Last week island resident and accommodation provider Kathy Coull said that islanders felt aggrieved that something designed to boost the local economy might now have a devastating impact.
“It is the last thing anyone would expect to happen to such a prestigious project, and we are looking at ways to redress the financial impact.”
Chairman of the FIBO trust, Roger Riddington, said: “It is extremely unfortunate that there have been business losses for so many people but I am confident that the observatory and the island will pull together.
“We will do everything we can to ensure all the work is completed and to support the islanders in their fight for payment.”
With the main contractor in receivership, a considerable amount of work on the warden’s accommodation still needs to be done.
The original observatory, dating back more than 60 years, was closed last year for demolition and re-building work.
Visitors will now enjoy more comfortable, modern facilities with en-suite showers in every bedroom.
The new observatory has the latest energy saving technology with the whole building designed to avoid waste heat.
Former observatory warden Nick Riddiford, who now lives on Fair Isle, said he wished he had such a building when he and his wife worked there in the 1980s.
“I like the spaciousness of it all. We never had enough space to put our archives or even our people, at times,” he said.
The observatory attracts thousands of birdwatchers every year, providing a centre for scientists and students for their research on migratory and resident birds.
The project has been funded with a £400,000 grant from Highland & Islands Enterprise (HIE), £1.15 Million from the Shetland Islands Council, £1.9 million from the Scottish Rural Development Programme, SRDP.
Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust has invested £250,000 of its own money and raised more than £100,000 through an ongoing appeal.
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