MEMBERS of Ennis Community College’s Board of Management have assured works on a new €10.2 million extension are not yet finished amid criticism of the building as “industrial” looking.

BOM chair Councillor Ann Norton has pointed out that the building is not complete with a lot of planned greenery around the extension yet to be put in place. She was speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where Councillor Johnny Flynn called for the building’s architect to be called in to explain the rationale behind the design.

According to Councillor Flynn members of the public have been “shocked” by the look of the extension in the historic part of the town and he questioned whether the students can look out of the building.

He said it would be “helpful” if the architect could explain the look of the building saying, “some people have said it looks a bit industrial. I understand that the inside is beautiful but could the architect explain why it looks the way it looks.”

Responding, Councillor Norton said, “The inside of the building is superb, it is top class but there is still alot of work to be done to the outside and that will make it less commercial looking.

“We do realise there has been a lot of negative comments, but there will be a lot of greenery around the building on the outside. It will blend in more with the area and the community, it just takes time unfortunately,” she said.

She added that the inside of the school is filled with light and that students can see all of the surrounding areas from the windows. She told the meeting the new extension will support the continued growth in numbers of Ennis Community College and Gaelcholáiste an Chláir.

Councillor Mary Howard, who is also on the board of management of the school, commented that the school is “amazing, fabulous” and paid tribute to the Department of Education, management and staff for their work in helping to complete the extension.

She said that the building is “very new” acknowledging that at the moment it is “very bland looking”. However, she insisted that the priority for the school was getting classrooms ready for students to use with the facade the last to be completed. She said that planting will make the building look “much softer in time”.

Another member of the board, Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy commented it is “wonderful to see this futuristic looking building” which will “develop quickly into a mature look with the greenery”. She added that the existing building will be retrofitted and painted in such a way that it will “look as one modernised school”.

She pointed to the success of the secondary school, with the new centralised application system for Ennis this year showing it as the second most popular choice. “It is a very happy school, happier now that they have very bright facilities built there.”

Senior executive officer with the Ennis Municipal District Leonore O’Neill stated that she did not consider it necessary to invite the architect to the council to discuss a design already approved by planning.

The debate about the school’s design was part of an overall discussion of a motion by Councillor Colleran Molloy who urged that an assessment be had at the Maid Éireann Roundabout to accommodate pedestrian crossings to accommodate the high volume of students, and others, to the Ennis Community College. 

She stated that the need for this had been raised by school principal Brian O’Donoghue during a recent visit of elected members to the new extension.

Responding to the motion, Barry Conway, Executive Engineer, stated, “A pedestrian Crossing was constructed on St Anthony’s Terrace/Harmony Row as part of the recent school extension to assist access to the school grounds.

“The existing pedestrian crossing at the Mill Bridge allows pedestrians from the Cloughleigh and Circular Road area safe access to the new crossing on St Anthony’s Terrace. The MD office will liaise with the road design section to determine whether further pedestrian facilities are required on Cusack Road or Sandfield Park.”

Councillor Norton seconded the motion saying, “it’s about the safety of students and teachers”. Councillor Howard also voiced her support, “we need to allow people to cross safely”.

Councillor Flynn supported the motion, adding that because of the nature of the roundabout pedestrian crossings have to be set back at some distance. “People have to be encouraged to use them once they are put in,” he said.

Councillor Pat Daly commented, “It’s a health and safety issue, it’s important that the children are looked after.”