Akureyri begins four major construction projects

Four major construction projects are getting under way simultaneously in Akureyri, mbl.is reports. Mayor Berglind Ósk Guðmundsdóttir said further development was also planned in the new Móahverfi district, the Hofsbót area of the city centre and at the atNorth data centre.

“Extremely exciting projects lie ahead, along with a period of growth intended to strengthen public services. The outcome will matter not only to Akureyri but to the whole of North Iceland,” Berglind Ósk said.

The largest project is a new wing for Akureyri Hospital, which will be built on the site currently occupied by the hospital’s car park and helipad. According to the mayor, the expansion will double the size of the hospital.

A new nursing home with 140 beds will also be built in the Holtahverfi district. The city’s two existing nursing homes have faced a shortage of beds, which has been compounded by the discovery that two of the four wings at Hlíð nursing home are unusable because of mould. The future of those wings remains entirely uncertain.

More activity around the university

New student housing will be built on the campus of the University of Akureyri. Student apartments have been spread around the city, Berglind said, but building them on campus is expected to strengthen the university community.

A new wing will also be added to Akureyri Vocational School. Berglind said the expansion was badly needed as interest in vocational education had increased significantly and employers were seeking more workers with strong vocational qualifications. A lack of space has made it difficult for the school to meet demand, but the expansion will increase its size by just over 1,500 square metres.