Ireland

School refurbishment project makes the grade

Strathearn Grammar School- Northern Ireland

A £15 million project to completely redevelop Strathearn School in Northern Ireland continues to make good progress.

The Strathearn School redevelopment project comprises an extensive reworking of the school campus to create a new facility, complete with improved classrooms and sporting provisions.

As part of the project two buildings are being retained on the site – a sports hall and a technology block. The sports hall is being completely refurbished and extended, whilst the technology block will benefit from an extension to incorporate it into the new main school building.

Strathearn Grammar School- Northern Ireland

McLaughlin & Harvey is the main contractor on the site, whilst Samuel Stevenson & Son is providing all architectural services for the project. JCP Consulting is the Mechanical & Electrical Engineer, Albert Fry Associates the structural and civil engineers, Braham Electrical is the electrical sub contractor and the mechanical subcontractor is MM Building Services. EC Harris is the project manager on the scheme.

The Strathearn School Redevelopment project is being funded by Department of Education, along with additional funding provided by Strathearn School.

Strathearn Grammar School- Northern Ireland

Work began on the project in March 2011. The new facility is a steel frame construction, with brick walls and a composite insulated panel roof finished with concrete roof tiles. Elements of zinc cladding are incorporated in the main approach elevation.

Discussing the development of the site, Samuel Stevenson & Sons Company Director Suzanne McCoy, said:

“The accommodation we are providing includes a range of different facilities, from general classrooms, specialist subject rooms including science, art and information technology, together with a main assembly hall and school kitchen and dining facilities, in addition to all of the traditional areas that would be associated with a school.

Strathearn Grammar School- Northern Ireland

“As for the two existing blocks that are being retained, the sports hall has been extended to include a fitness suite and external changing facilities, and will eventually be expanded to include a smaller gymnasium. In addition, the Department of Education acquired some adjoining land from Belfast City Council which has allowed us to extend the sports facilities to include two all-weather hockey pitches and an Astroturf pitch complete with floodlighting.”

Suzanne added:

“We’ve recently completed and delivered the first phase of the project to the school, which included general classrooms and science facilities and we are now gearing up to begin work on the second phase.

Strathearn Grammar School- Northern Ireland

“Samuel Stevenson & Sons are delighted to be involved with this project.

“The feedback so far has been very positive, and despite a few teething problems the School have occupied the first phase and ongoing work on site remains on programme.”

Strathearn Grammar School- Northern Ireland

The Strathearn School Redevelopment project is currently scheduled to reach completion in September 2014.

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