There were celebrations aplenty in Ballyhaunis last week following the announcement that the community school is to benefit from a €7 million refurbishment and extension project in 2015.
The school first applied for such a project in 1999 and local representatives issued a warm welcome when the funding was announced.
“This is the first major injection of funding for the school since it opened in the late 1970s,” said local county councillor John Cribben. “Works are scheduled to commence in mid-2015.”
Cllr Cribben said the project would also benefit contractors and the local economy while the works were under way.
He added that he was delighted to have been able to bring the matter to the Taoiseach’s attention and lobby other local deputies to see the long awaited project get the go ahead.
Deputy John O’Mahony welcomed both the Ballyhaunis Community School project and the building of a long awaited new school for Scoil Phadraig in Westport, which was announced at the same time.
“This is wonderful news for both school communities,” said Deputy O’Mahony. “These projects will provide huge boosts to their respective communities and I would like to commend all involved for their endeavour in ensuring that they were brought to fruition.”
