Cork ETB to open €10 million state-of-the-art extension at East Cork school
Thursday February 25th 2021: Just as students and teachers all over the country are getting excited to return to their classrooms, the pupils of St. Colman’s Community College in Midleton, East Cork will be returning to a state-of-the-art extension and all new facilities in the coming weeks.
Following a significant investment of €10 million by the Department of Education and Skills, St. Colman’s Community College in Midleton which is a co-educational post primary school under the auspices of Cork Education and Training Board (Cork ETB) and, has undergone a huge transformation over the last number of years, resulting in three new buildings that have a total gross floor area of 5,640m2.
Designed by Healy & Partners Architects and building works carried out by Cfield Construction, the school’s facilities will be immensely advanced as the extension includes:
- Block 1 – A teaching block of 35 additional classrooms and ancillary spaces – science laboratories, music rooms, communications graphics rooms, business and computer facilities, arts and crafts room, Special Education Needs Unit.
- Block 2 – A single-storey stand-alone engineering room with associated stores.
- Block 3 – A new two-storey stand-alone Sports Hall building with ancillary changing facilities.
The current enrolment in St. Colman’s Community College is over 800 students but the addition of the new extension will allow the school to cater for 1,000 students into the future.
Speaking in relation to the extension was Principal of St. Colman’s Community College Karen Casey “To see how our school has transformed over the last number of years is really something spectacular. Our aim here in St. Colman’s is to create a school where each person is respected, valued and supported. Now, with this addition of these new wonderful facilities, we can continue to educate and nurture the wonderful young people in the college and give them the best second level education possible”.
Cork ETB Chief Executive Denis Leamy also added “St. Colman’s Community College serves the second level education needs of the greater Midleton area. Cork ETB is delighted to see this progressive extension finally come to fruition after four years of construction. Midleton is a rapidly growing suburb and the development of these outstanding facilities will benefit the whole community”.
The Department of Education and Skills is committed to the continued improvement of educational institutions. The Department will continue to invest in schools with a view to offering students the best environment possible to continue their educational development.