Design team is appointed for €8m school extension
THE EXTENSION WILL INCLUDE AT LEAST 12 GENERAL CLASSROOMS AND THREE SCIENCE LABS
AN overhaul worth nearly €8million at Bridgetown College drew an important step closer this week as the design team was officially appointed to the project.
Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) confirmed last week that Coady Architects, Hayes & Higgins Partnership (civil engineers), Delap & Waller (building services, mechanical and electrical engineers), MJ Turley (quantity surveyor) and integrated risk solutions (PSDP) had been appointed to oversee the design, planning and construction of the major extension works at the college.
The project consists of extensions to and refurbishment of the existing school buildings, with at least an additional 12 general classrooms, three science labs, a home economics room, 3 construction studies/ engineering/technology rooms and other additional general accommodation.
When completed, the school will be able to provide for an enrolment of 850 students and have a total floor area of 9,000m2.
‘The design team will be on site very shortly,’ said Cllr Jim Moore, Chairman of the Board of Management.
‘It really is a significant development and the department agrees with the WWETB and the board of management on the necessity of these new facilities, particularly with more subjects, bigger enrolments and the addition of things like the autism unit here.’
While, as of yet, there’s no time-frame for when the project will go to planning phase, Cllr Moore will be impressing the urgent need upon the design team.
‘As Chairman of the Board of Management, I’ve made it clear that we’re already behind schedule on this,’ he said. ‘I’ve told them in no uncertain terms that we need to get this over the line as soon as possible.’
He added that the development of the college goes hand in hand with Wexford County Council’s development of community facilities in Bridgetown, with the new playground being handed over recently and an official opening imminent.