Casting off for start of Seamount extension

The Minister of State for Training and Skills at the Department of Education and Skills, Ciarán Cannon TD was in Kinvara on Friday turning the sod on an extension for Seamount College.
The school that faced closure in recent years secured funding for the new buildings back in October.
The project will incorporate a new science lab, a new technical graphics room, a new computer room, a music room and two general classrooms as well as upgrading parts of the present building.
“This is an important milestone in the proud history of Seamount College,” said the Galway East TD and Junior Minister.
“This new development will significantly enhance the facilities available to students and staff at Seamount College and will allow for even greater subject choice. I was delighted to be able to work closely with the principal and the board of management to make a strong case for the funds for this new development.
“This is the single largest investment ever made by my department in education in Kinvara and I am confident it will reap great dividends in the future.”
Principal Maighréad Mhic Dhomhnaill said she was delighted to see the work on the refurbishment and new building beginning.
“The proud tradition of teaching and learning in the school will be enhanced by the addition. Students and staff will benefit from these improvements for many years ahead,” she commented.
“Great credit is due to all those involved in getting us to this stage, in particular Minister Ciarán Cannon who is fully committed to the provision of second-level education in Kinvara and who gave freely of his time to ensure this project received department funding. The school benefits from the dedication of a hard-working board of management, which has worked tirelessly to achieve this goal.
“Our parents’ committee are fully supportive and volunteer long hours to enhance the work of the school and to fundraise so that we can continually improve upon the services on offer,” Ms Mhic Dhomhnaill said.
“There is an air of anticipation around the school awaiting the final handover of the new building in time for the start of the new school year so that our present school population will avail of the new facilities as well as those preparing to commence with us,” she added.
The design team of the project consists of Brendan Slevin and Associates Consulting Engineers, John Britton Consulting Civil and Structural Engineers, Tom McNamara and Partners Chartered Quantity Surveyors with Joe Byrne acting as project manager.
“This team has worked hard to ensure the delivery of maximum benefit to our students in an aesthetically pleasing building has been planned, with room for future development.
“We have strived to ensure that the best value for money is obtained from the funds provided by the department who have been very supportive to our efforts. The design team will continue to work closely with the building contractor Pat McHugh and Sons Ltd who has been assigned the contract to complete the project,” Ms Mhic Dhomhnaill said.
This extension and redevelopment follows the designation of Seamount as a co-ed school and the consequent need to expand for an ever-increasing number of pupils.