College gets approval for ‘much-needed’ extension

By Brendan Grehan

LUCAN COMMUNITY College has received approval from the Department of Education to proceed to stage 2B for the college’s extension project. The news was confirmed this week.

The design team for the project will begin the stage 2B work which comprises a number of items including obtaining all statutory approvals, ensure that the project is fully designed and detailed before going to tender, the preparation of detailed design drawings and specifications for the design, preparation of the bill of quantities and the preparation of an accurate pre-tender cost estimate.

A spokesperson for Lucan Community College said it was “a huge step forward” for Lucan Community College.

They added: “We want to acknowledge the huge effort made by our pupils with their petition and also our Board members, parents, and teachers with their individual letters to the Minister for Education and local representatives in getting the extension back on track.”

Chairman of the school’s Board of Management, Councillor William Lavelle welcomed the news.

He told The Echo: “Lucan Community College has received approval from the Department of Education to proceed to stage 2B for our much-needed extension project.

“As Chairman of the Board of Management I wish to thank all parents and all my political colleagues for their support for our campaign. Next step: get our planning application in.”

Local councillor, and also member of the board of management, Liona O’Toole said it was “great news”.

She added: “This had been a long time coming and many parents over the years have campaigned strongly for the school extension.

“As a member of Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education training board I have been pushing for updates on a regular basis and will continue to keep monitoring progress. We can now look forward to submitting the plans and prepare for the new building”.

The news was also welcomed by Tánaiste and local TD, Frances Fitzgerald.

She said: “I welcome this latest news in the long-awaited building project for Lucan Community College. Since their inclusion in the 6 Year Capital Programme 2016-2021, they have made huge strides in the planning process.

“When the project is complete, the existing school building, which was first built in 1987, will be extensively refurbished with two dedicated Special Education Needs classrooms as well as a much needed extension.

“Once completed, this modern campus will cater to approximately 1,000 second-level students across Lucan.”

Local TD John Curran welcomed the decision but called on the Minister for Education to “prioritise the issue”.

He said : “Lucan Community College has a wonderful reputation throughout the school community in Lucan, however the college will no longer be in a position to meet increases in enrolment demands without provision of a suitable building.

“I will be calling on the Minister to set out specific time frames for delivery and completion of this project and to seriously prioritise this issue in Lucan. I will continue to follow up on this matter.”