New era beckons for Ulidia Integrated College as £25m building work begins in Carrickfergus

Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has cut the first sod on a new 700-pupil school for Ulidia Integrated College in Carrickfergus.
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The project represents an investment of £25million from Fresh Start funding.

Speaking at the event, the minister said: “I welcome this £25million investment which represents a significant milestone for Ulidia Integrated College. Once completed this new school will provide much needed education benefits for pupils, staff, teachers, parents and for the wider community.

Schools are very much the hub of any community. I am certain that this investment will have a major impact on the wider local community, promoting good relations and creating many positive outcomes."

Education Minister Michelle McIlveen is joined by school and project team representatives at the sod-cutting ceremony.Education Minister Michelle McIlveen is joined by school and project team representatives at the sod-cutting ceremony.
Education Minister Michelle McIlveen is joined by school and project team representatives at the sod-cutting ceremony.

The Fresh Start funding forms part of the UK Government's commitment, via the Fresh Start and Stormont House agreements, to deliver up to £500m of capital funding over 10 years to support shared and integrated education.

Hard Work

Acknowledging the work of the school in bringing the project to this stage, the minister concluded: “I would like to thank everyone involved in this project for their hard work and commitment in getting it to this stage.

“This is a good day for everyone at Ulidia Integrated College and I am pleased that I could be here to celebrate this occasion with the school. I wish the pupils, staff and the school management every success as they embark on this exciting new chapter.”

With some site clearance completed already, construction began on September 12 and is due to be finished by summer 2024.

The school has been at Victoria Road since 2002 after a move from temporary accommodation in Whitehead where it first opened in 1997.

Ulidia principal Michael Houston has said previously the new school “will provide much needed state-of-the-art facilities for all of our pupils and staff.”

Hamilton Architects are the integrated consultant team on the project and OHMG (Holdings) Ltd are carrying out the work.