Community / New Fair Isle bird observatory no longer expected to open this year
It comes after the company carrying out the building work lodged a notice to appoint an administrator
BUILDERS constructing the new Fair Isle Bird Observatory have stopped work on site after the project’s contractor lodged a notice to appoint an administrator.
It means that the new building – which had already suffered some delays – is no longer set to open in 2024.
In an update released earlier today (Monday), Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust chairman Douglas Barr said: “Regrettably, we have just been advised that our builders Lighthouse/IDMH have now lodged a Notice to Appoint an Administrator and have currently stopped working at the Obs site.
“They are not in administration but are considering their options on how they go forward as a company.
“This is particularly frustrating given we now have a wind and watertight building and were in the process of completing the internals which were scheduled to be finished this autumn.”
He said the trust needs to attend to a number of legal, financial and practical issues before things can resume.
“This means that unfortunately we will not be reopening this year,” Barr said.
“As and when we are able to, we will post updates on our progress to fully completing the rebuild of the Obs.”
The previous building burned down in 2019, with no injuries reported, and the new one is being constructed on the same site.
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