| “The SELB has responsibility for progressing Controlled Schools schemes and the Board is pleased that funding is being provided for new replacement schools for Lurgan College and Portadown College and for a major extension for Waringstown Primary School.
“In the case of Lurgan College a new school will be built on the existing site with only the current listed building which was built in 1873 being retained. Most of the present building was built in the late 1950s and early 1960s and falls considerably short of present day Department of Education requirements. At Portadown College the school will be rebuilt on the current site with only the technology block and sports hall being retained from the existing buildings. These buildings will be refurbished.
The original Portadown College building was completed in 1962. In both cases the new schools will replace the existing buildings with modern accommodation suitable for delivering education in the twenty first century.
“The decision to replace the two schools comes at the end of a long campaign by the Boards of Governors of the Colleges to secure updated accommodation. Officers from the SELB have worked with the staff and the Boards of Governors of the Colleges to secure the new provision.
“The existing temporary accommodation at Waringstown Primary School will be replaced by a new brick built extension which will also incorporate an extension to the current multi-purpose hall. Refurbishment work will also be carried out on the existing classrooms to make them more suitable for delivering the curriculum. The investment will help ensure Waringstown Primary School continues to cater for present and future enrolments arising from the sustained housing developments in the area.
“The Board awaits a further announcement from the Department and the Strategic Investment Board regarding the procurement route for these projects to allow them to proceed.” |
