selb news Work to start on replacement for Ballygawley and Innishmagh Primary Schools

Tuesday 28 January 2003

Work to start on replacement for Ballygawley and Innishmagh Primary Schools

Work is due to start on a new school in Ballygawley to replace the existing Innishmagh and Ballygawley primary schools. The £1.2 million purpose built accommodation will offer a state of the art facility for local children.

Southern Education & Library Board Chief Architect Aidan McGee is delighted the project will now be underway, he commented, “Ballygawley and Innishmagh Primary School’s are being amalgamated to form a new school on the site of the existing Ballygawley school. The new school is being built to replace current sub standard accommodation.” He continued, “I am thrilled that work is now finally to begin on the proposed new building. The new school will be modern and up to date and offer a first class facility for local children. New buildings and new extensions are part of modernisation of the school infrastructure. Developments, such as this new school will provide more pleasant and modern working environments for both pupils and teachers alike.”

The new school is a 5 class base school and will accommodate up to 145 pupils. Along with the 5 classrooms, the new school will also offer 2 resource areas, a multi-purpose hall, a special education room, staff room, Principal and secretaries office. The school will be single story and traditional in form with pitched roofs.

The new school is being built on the site of the existing Ballygawley Primary School and additional lands adjacent to the existing school site were obtained by the SELB to accommodate the new school. The new school is planned to be ready in approximately one year – February 2004.

The contract is due to commence at the beginning of February 2003. The approximate contract value, including site purchase, furniture, equipment and professional fees is £1.2 million. SELB Architects are the main architects, planning supervisors and project managers on the job, with Woodvale Construction, Omagh as the principal contractor. .