Cork East Fine Gael TD, David Stanton has welcomed the commencement of construction on the large extension to St Colman’s Community College. The project includes a new two storey building adjoining the existing school and new stand-alone sports hall.
“The extension, of total gross floor area of 5,640 sq metres, to St Colman’s Community College is very welcome as it will allow the school to continue to cater for increased demand for second level places in Midleton and East Cork area. The new two storey building will comprise of 35 additional classrooms and ancillary spaces and there will also be a new single storey engineering room. The new two storey sports hall will include changing facilities and equipment stores.
“I understand that the new extension to adjoin the existing school will have classrooms, science labs, music rooms, home economics labs, multimedia labs, library, offices and accommodation for pupils with special educational needs on the ground floor. The second floor will have more classrooms, social studies rooms, communications graphics rooms, business and computer facilities, arts and crafts room, toilet facilities and storage areas.
“In addition to the new educational areas, the development at St Colman’s will improve access to the school with revised bus and set-down areas and car parking. Hard surface playing areas will also be relocated and landscaping and lighting changes will be made.
“The project at St Colman’s is the latest in what has been a very significant investment by the current Government in primary and second level education in the East Cork area. At primary level, large extensions have been added to Kilcredan NS, Scartleigh NS in Saleen, Whitegate Mixed NS, Scoil Iosagain in Aghada, St John the Baptist NS and Rushbrooke NS. A new Community National School, Scoil Chliodhna, opened this September in temporary accommodation on the grounds of Carrigtwohill GAA Club.
“Construction is ongoing on a new 24 classroom school for Gaelscoil Mhainistir na Corann which will allow the school to move from their current temporary accommodation in Midleton Community Centre. The planning process is also underway for a new school for Midleton Educate Together at a site on the Mill Road.
“At second level, St Mary’s High School has been extended and Midleton CBS Secondary School opened what is virtually a new school in September this year which will allow. While work is still ongoing with regard to finalising a site for a new second level school in Carrigtwohill, I understand that this will open in a temporary premises in September 2016.
“It is very exciting to see such large scale improvements to East Cork’s schools. Our young people and their teachers will benefit from the excellent, state of the art educational facilities which make the area such a good place to live, work and raise a family.
