Wilson visits new developments at Belfast Model schools

Investment in our education estate will help equip young people with the skills required to help grow our economy, Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has said.

The Minister was speaking after visiting the construction site at the Belfast Boys’ Model and the Belfast Model School for Girls, which are both in North Belfast.

Speaking at the Belfast Model School for Girls, the Minister said: "The construction of these new school buildings is a clear illustration of what can be achieved with the right amount of commitment and investment. During what is an extremely challenging economic environment, this investment will equip our young people with the education and skills necessary to help drive the economic recovery.

"The Executive is continuing to invest record sums, Departments have indicated that gross capital investment for 2009-10 was £1.7billion."

The Minister continued: "This money is providing the facilities needed to deliver a world class education for our young people. It can also benefit the wider community. The developments at both the Model School for Girls and the Boys’ Model School include sporting, performing arts and other facilities which are available out of hours to local groups and the broader community."

The sporting facilities include large sports halls, synthetic pitches, running tracks and track and field facilities, some of which are located at Mount Pleasant.

Both schools are being delivered under a Strategic Partnering Agreement between the Belfast Education & Library Board and Amey-FMP. This consortium includes local construction firms Farrans (Construction) Limited, who were the main contractor for the new Model Schools, H&J Martin and Patton Construction. The schools were designed by local architectural practice McAdam Design. The total construction cost of both schools was in excess of £50million.

During his visit to the new Belfast Boys' Model School, Mr Wilson said: "These state of the art facilities, which are currently under construction, will help develop young people, drawn from the areas of Greater Shankill, North Belfast and Newtownabbey.

"The level of expenditure will not only benefit the pupils, but has also helped the local construction industry through this very difficult time and provided a boost to the local economy during the current economic downturn."

The new Belfast Boys' Model School is still currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in September 2010. Both schools are Constructing Excellence in NI (CEni) Demonstration Projects, which are examples of best practice and innovation in the construction industry.

Notes to editors:

1. Constructing Excellence in Northern Ireland (CEni) is a centre of professional construction expertise based at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. It supports all sectors of the construction industry in the pursuit of excellence. ‘Constructing Excellence’ is the banner under which the construction industry, its clients and Government are working to improve UK construction performance. It aims to showcase innovations in both products and performance and to highlight best practice. It also seeks to encourage the industry and its clients to adopt the principles of Constructing Excellence to their mutual benefit.

2. The four Demonstration Projects are:
McLaughlin & Harvey – Royal Victoria Hospital Phase 2B for Sustainability and Design Quality. The Royal Victoria Hospital Phase 2B will deliver a truly sustainable building project containing innovative construction processes and design with world class healthcare provision. This Project will be an exemplar for sustainable design and construction throughout the UK.

Belfast Education & Library Board – Strategic Partnering Projects for Client Leadership & Integration in Procurement. This project has delivered state of the art accommodation and facilities management services for many of the schools and associated buildings under BELB control. This major modernisation of Belfast Schools Estate and provision of exceptional learning facilities will allow BELB to fully meet its objectives in improving further the standard of education in schools.

John Graham (Dromore) Ltd – Banbridge Academy for Health & Safety. The Banbridge Academy new build and refurbishment project is paving the way for innovations in Health & Safety Excellence. The combination of management driven processes and behavioural based safety strategies is driving a cultural revolution in site based health & safety.

O’Hare & McGovern – The Obel Tower for Design Quality in using Modern Methods of Construction in Ireland’s tallest skyscraper. The Obel Tower is a landmark building rising majestically from Belfast’s Donegall Quay. Standing at the gateway to the city the iconic glass structure is a symbol of Belfast’s regeneration.

3. Further information on the CEni Demonstration Projects is available from http://www.constructingexcellence.ulster.ac.uk

4. Facilities at both schools can be booked on-line at http://www.nicommunityschools.org

5. Media enquiries only to DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7377 or 028 9052 7375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

6. Photos are available upon request by contacting the DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7377.