A landmark education project in Northern Ireland has advanced significantly.
- A £375m joint venture for Omagh’s Strule Shared Education Campus has been finalised.
- The campus will integrate six schools and serve 4,000 students by 2028.
- Local firms Woodvale and Lowry Civil Engineering lead the groundbreaking effort.
- Funding challenges have been overcome to achieve this educational milestone.
A landmark education project has reached a pivotal moment in Northern Ireland. A noteworthy £375 million joint venture has been secured to progress the Strule Shared Education Campus located in Omagh, marking a significant development in the region’s educational infrastructure.
The Strule Campus aims to integrate six schools, accommodating around 4,000 pupils upon its completion scheduled for 2028. This comprehensive educational hub will be situated on a historic military site, transforming the landscape and offering unprecedented resources for local students.
Two prominent firms, Woodvale, based in Omagh, and Lowry Civil Engineering from Castlederg, have partnered to spearhead this transformative project. These local businesses bring valuable expertise and regional knowledge to the construction of the campus.
The grand contract envisions the creation of five school buildings, accompanying sports facilities, infrastructure enhancements, and site development works. Notably, Woodvale previously constructed the £8.2 million Arvalee Special School, which caters to young individuals with learning difficulties, signifying their continued commitment to educational development.
Having endured years of delays since the inception of design work in 2010, the campus was initially projected to require £100 million and open by 2020. However, evolving challenges and adjustments in scope led to the current substantial investment figure. Importantly, earlier this year, significant funding hurdles surfaced as £150 million from the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement was no longer accessible.
The project was reinvigorated by decisive intervention from the Northern Ireland Executive, which pledged £150 million in March, subsequently granting official approval in June. This decisive move ensured the project’s progression, dispelling previous uncertainties.
Northern Ireland’s education minister, Paul Givan, hailed the contract signing as a ‘momentous’ occasion, articulating his satisfaction with realising such a major investment that will impact the youth in the Omagh area positively.
The project’s objective extends beyond educational improvements. It also aims to foster community cohesion by bringing together diverse educational institutions, creating a shared environment where students can benefit from communal resources and interactions.
The Strule Shared Education Campus represents a pivotal step forward in enhancing educational facilities and community integration in Northern Ireland.
