Work to start at new building for one of NI’s biggest schools

Contractors are to start work on a new £25k building for Lismore Comprensive in Craigavon which has one of the largest number of pupils in NI.
By Carmel Robinson
Published 20th Nov 2020, 15:50 BST
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Lismore is the learning hub of more than 1,100 pupils and the principal, Shauna Lennon, is excited that the new school has appointed a contractor.

After years of thought and work, the contractors will be at the Craigavon site this April (2021)

Mrs Lennon has revealed that nothing will change at the current site as contractors will be working in the fields behind the current school site.

Shauna Lennon Principal of Lismore Comprehensive welcomes the new contractors who will be working on the new £25k school building. With her are Mr Martin Lennon, Contractor O’Hare and Mc Govern Ltd, Mr Seanie O’Hare Contractor O’Hare and Mc Govern Ltd, Lauren Delaney, Head Girl, Shea Farren, Head boy and Education Minister Peter WeirShauna Lennon Principal of Lismore Comprehensive welcomes the new contractors who will be working on the new £25k school building. With her are Mr Martin Lennon, Contractor O’Hare and Mc Govern Ltd, Mr Seanie O’Hare Contractor O’Hare and Mc Govern Ltd, Lauren Delaney, Head Girl, Shea Farren, Head boy and Education Minister Peter Weir
Shauna Lennon Principal of Lismore Comprehensive welcomes the new contractors who will be working on the new £25k school building. With her are Mr Martin Lennon, Contractor O’Hare and Mc Govern Ltd, Mr Seanie O’Hare Contractor O’Hare and Mc Govern Ltd, Lauren Delaney, Head Girl, Shea Farren, Head boy and Education Minister Peter Weir

She said: “The Trustees and Board of Governors of Lismore Comprehensive School are delighted to confirm the appointment of O’Hare and McGovern Holdings, and their professional design teams, as the Main Contractor for the New School Building Project at Lismore and what marks the commencement of a Major Construction Project in the Department of Education’s Major Capital Programme.

“Construction of the new school building is scheduled to commence in April 2021 and will be an exciting new chapter in the life of the school and local community.

“The construction period will last until February 2023.

“The new school building will be a state of the art facility, fully sustainable and constructed to the highest standards, providing a quality educational environment for 1200 pupils, with a construction cost of approximately £25M.

Shauna Lennon Principal of Lismore Comprehensive welcomes the new contractors who will be working on the new £25k school building. With her are Lauren Delaney, Head Girl, Shea Farren, Head boy and Education Minister Peter WeirShauna Lennon Principal of Lismore Comprehensive welcomes the new contractors who will be working on the new £25k school building. With her are Lauren Delaney, Head Girl, Shea Farren, Head boy and Education Minister Peter Weir
Shauna Lennon Principal of Lismore Comprehensive welcomes the new contractors who will be working on the new £25k school building. With her are Lauren Delaney, Head Girl, Shea Farren, Head boy and Education Minister Peter Weir

“The Project Board, comprising representatives from the Trustees, Board of Governors, the school, McAdam Design, DE, EA and CCMS are excited to work with O’Hare and McGovern Holdings to develop the final design in preparation for the commencement of construction in Spring 2021.”

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has welcomed the announcement.

Mr O’Dowd who is Vice Chair of the Board of Governors of the School said: “As then Education Minister I announced a new build for Lismore in 2016 and since then there have been a few bumps and delays along the road.

“However, with this announcement that O’Hare and McGovern have been appointed as builders, this is the final piece of the jigsaw and construction will start in April 2021.

Lauren Delaney, Head Girl, Shea Farren, Head boy of Lismore Comprehensive meet Education Minister Peter Weir.Lauren Delaney, Head Girl, Shea Farren, Head boy of Lismore Comprehensive meet Education Minister Peter Weir.
Lauren Delaney, Head Girl, Shea Farren, Head boy of Lismore Comprehensive meet Education Minister Peter Weir.

“The £25m investment in a new school is a vote of confidence in Lismore, its staff and pupils as well as an investment in the local community.

“I am delighted to have played a part in getting the new school to this stage and look forward to pupils and staff moving in 2023.”

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Related topics:John O'DowdWorkCraigavon