‘Exciting step’ as work set to begin at new Shimna campus

‘Exciting step’ as work set to begin at new Shimna campus

12 January 2022

WORK on the new £19 million Shimna Integrated College in Newcastle is due to commence this summer.

The project will deliver modern, energy efficient premises and facilities which will support the education of students across South Down well into the future.

Locally based construction company Glasgiven Contracts Ltd will deliver the building project providing a boost to employment within the local area.

The Glasdrumman company has extensive experience in delivering high-quality educational buildings.

School principal Steve Pagan said: “This is a tremendously exciting step for the staff and students of Shimna, as well as our wider community.

“We have been providing excellent educational opportunities at Shimna for almost 30 years and look forward to the next chapter, developing our inclusive, all-ability school so that it is best in class.

“A great deal of work has gone into getting us to this stage and I pay tribute to the former principal, Kevin Lambe, the Board of Governors, the Department of Education and Hood McGowan Kirk Chartered Surveyors for their efforts in making this happen.

“Glasgiven were responsible for constructing part of our current building, so I am delighted to have them on board.

Mr Pagan added: “Our students deserve the best start in life and so a contemporary 21st century school, including state-of-the-art classrooms and resources, will help us to provide an outstanding education.

“Our stunning location, at the foot of the Mourne mountains and overlooking the sea, will be complemented by our wonderful new building.”

It is estimated the new school will be completed by 2024. The college is also working closely with the Newry, Mourne and Down Council to redevelop facilities at Donard Park, including proposals for a new 4G surface.

Shimna’s own new sports complex will provide for a variety of sports, enabling even greater success for the College in the future.

Welcoming the news, Cormac Murphy of Glasgiven Contracts Ltd said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract for Shimna Integrated College. Having contributed to its development in the past, we look forward to helping to build its future.

“The project will provide job opportunities in the area, including steps-to-work, apprenticeships and work placements for young people keen to explore career paths linked to the construction industry.”

The new building is being funded by the Department of Education as one of a number of integrated schools named in the first tranche of funding allocated under the Fresh Start Agreement in 2016.