Secondary school plans major revamp

An east Cork secondary school built to accommodate 280 students in the 1970s is seeking planning permission for a massive expansion.

Midleton CBS currently caters for almost 600 pupils and 45 staff and uses eight temporary classrooms.

The planned development will add 7,266 sq metres to the present 2,000 sq m and facilitate accommodation for 1,000 students and 90 staff. The plans include greatly enhanced educational services and facilities and increased parking.

Funding for the development has been approved by the department.

School principal Pat Hurley says the expansion will permit every student to have the best education possible. The project, he said, envisages five science laboratories, three computer rooms, an art room, technical graphics room, two construction studies/woodwork rooms, two engineering/technology rooms, social studies rooms, PE hall, enhanced social areas and a clothes drying room/changing area.

Six hard tennis courts will be added to the present playing pitches, running track and hammer/discus /shot putt area. “All the school facilities will also be made available to the general community where practical,” Mr Hurley said.

The new complex, three-storey in parts, will be aesthetically pleasing as well as environmentally progressive, he said. Ultra-modern ‘light wells’ will transmit natural light through all floors and energy efficiency will include water harvesting systems to facilitate water recycling.

The CBS is one of six schools within a close proximity, with 25 buses daily contributing to severe traffic congestion in the town’s St Mary’s Road area. The plans include 140 car-parking spaces, to be shared by an adjoining establishment, enlarged entrance and larger bus set-down areas.

Mr Hurley is seeking a joint approach between schools and local authorities for increased, safe cycling and walking routes. It follows a recent survey which found only 14.3% of students walked to school, while 41.9% travelled by school bus, 39.8% commuted by car share, 3.6% drove and 0.4% cycled.

With Sept 2014 set for the extension’s completion, the principal would like to see 17% walking by Sept 2015; 4% cycling by Sept 2017 and 34% travelling by car by Sept 2017. “If we can tie in a lifestyle change to complement the new building, so much the better,” he added.