An artist’s impression of how the new Enniskillen Model Primary School building may look
PLANS for the new £6m Enniskillen Model Primary School are well underway, with work due to start on site in January 2017.
The new school, which will be significantly bigger than its predecessor is partly being developed due to a huge increase in numbers in recent years, with 455 pupils now studying at the Castlecoole Road site.
Speaking this week to the Herald the principal of Enniskillen Model Primary School Winston Glass explained that there was a “fairly significant development” last month in the creation of the new build.
“The Department of Education signed off the approval for the school to go to Stage D so that means final plans are being drawn with a view to going through planning and tendering for contractor and those will hopefully be taking place in the not too distant future with a target of early 2017 to be on site.”
The current building has been operational since 1974 and was built after a fire destroyed the previous school.
Now 42 years old a change is needed to keep up with advances in education as well as cope with the growing pupil numbers.
“The current building has design issues in terms of heating and space. Space obviously being a significant one and the fabric of the building is tiring so the new build is certainly welcome.”
While there has been a delay in the project due to issues surrounding final plans and cost these have been resolved and it is now full steam ahead for the new build, with the funding “guaranteed”, according to the principal.
“It’s a significant build, it will be much bigger with larger room dimensions which will enhance the learning opportunities for pupils at the school and create a more pleasant working environment for the staff,” explained Mr Glass.
When work does begin it will take place in three stages with no disruption to the pupils at the school nor any necessitation for the use of temporary accommodation.
Phase one will be to build the new school, which will be located in what is currently the lower playground. Phase two will then be to move everyone into the new building.
This will be followed by the demolition of the old building.
“The area that at present is occupied by the school will become mostly playground and sizeable car parking spaces.”
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