Despite recessionary times, two secondary schools in North Tipperary have been signalled by the Minister for Education and Science, Mr Batt O’Keefe to proceed with proposed building projects.
Ursuline Convent Thurles.
The Board of Management of the Ursuline Convent, Thurles (Principal Sr. Berchmans) are now authorised to immediately lodge a planning application with North Tipp Co. Co. for:
- 16 new classrooms that will accommodate state of the art facilities for the various specialist subjects offered by the school.
A ‘Multimedia Learning Laboratory’ that will cater for 30 students at any one time.
- Requisite ancillary rooms such as staff offices, meeting rooms, first aid, storage, dining area and social areas.
- Aspects of the existing school that are up to standard will be retained and integrated with the new school.
- To augment the fine sporting tradition of the school, 5 new outdoor hard play courts will be added.
- There also would be provision for 55 car park spaces.
The funding for this project will in due course be provided from the Multi Annual Educational Capital Programme.
Borrisokane Community College.
In relation to Borrisokane Community College, (Principal Mr Matthew Carr) the Board of Management have now been authorised to proceed immediately with the lodging of a planning application with North Tipp County Council for:
10 additional new classrooms equipped to cater for a range of specialist subjects.
- A sports hall will be built that will incorporate a full size basketball court.
- Ancillary offices for staff and storage rooms will also be added.
- Additional car parking facilities.
The new part of this school has been designed to work with refurbished existing buildings, so the historic nature of this part of the town will be retained and enhanced.
The ‘Banding status’ of the project has been changed and improved from 2.4 to 2.1 to reflect its new priority. The funding for this project will in due course be provided from the Multi Annual Educational Capital Programme.
Confirming these announcements to Thurles.Info, North Tipperary T.D. Mr Michael Lowry stated that the proposal to prioritise these long awaited developments could now be viewed as a work in progress and expressed his gratitude to the Minister for Education, Batt O’Keefe. Mr Michael Lowry also acknowledged the interest and commitment of local Councillor Michael O’Meara in progressing the Borrisokane venture.
Forty one other major new school building projects were also announced countrywide today.
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