Wates and Al Fara'a secure AED150m school contract

Tenders and contracts have gathered pace in Al Bateen.

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Wates Construction International and Al Fara’a General Contracting Company have been jointly awarded the AED150 million contract to build an 1,500 place secondary school for Aldar Academies at Al Bateen in Abu Dhabi.

The win is the second contract in less than three weeks for the joint venture between the UK and UAE firms, which snapped up an AED65 million deal to upgrade the British School Al Khubairet in the emirate on 20th June.

The school is due for completion next year and will be managed and operated by Aldar Academies, which operates three schools in the city – Al Yasmina School, Pearl Primary School and Al Muna Primary School.

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The design concept for the Al Bateen Secondary School is based around a less hierarchal educational structure, allowing more student circulation and interaction between different year groups. Measuring 24,000m², the new school will feature state of the art classrooms, a swimming pool, library and extensive outdoor sports facilities.

Surrey-based Wates is a leading developer in the education sector in the UK and has built schools and colleges to accommodate 35,000 pupils, including Canterbury College and North Liverpool Academy. It is currently running the day-to-day operations of 26 UK schools. It opened an office in Abu Dhabi in December 2009.

Matthew Kennedy, director of Wates Construction International, said: “We focus on creating great learning environments and not on buildings.

“We’re pleased to be working with a professional and highly respected client, who is also regarded as a leading educational provider in Abu Dhabi.”

Abu Dhabi-based Al Fara’a General Contracting is part of the Al Fara’a Integrated Construction Group, which covers almost the whole spectrum of construction, including property management and general contracting as well as concrete manufacture through Unibeton Ready Mix and MEP work mechanical, electrical and plumbing supply and services (Al Sabbah Electro-Mechanical), interiors and joinery works