Diggers move in for £2.3m Broadbridge build

The boss of Lisburn construction firm TAL Ltd. says he's delighted to have started work on a £2.3m revamp of Broadbridge Primary School in Eglinton, which will include a new 10 class extension and sports hall facility.

TAL has been awarded two school contracts, one at Broadbridge Primary School in Eglinton, and the other at St Louis Grammar School in Ballymena, valued together at £5.1m.

Diggers are already in situ on the Eglinton school site.

Director of the firm, Damien Hughes said: “We are delighted to have secured these education sector contracts which are core to our plans to grow the firm by developing our portfolio in different sectors.

“These projects will provide long awaited new and enhanced education facilities for pupils and staff.”

The £2.3m contract at Broadbridge Primary School will provide a new 10 class base extension and new sports hall facility.

The existing school building will also be refurbished to provide additional classrooms, administration/staff facilities, school meals accommodation and a library.

These projects are two of the twelve schools across Northern Ireland which are to share the £35m funding from the School Enhancement Programme (SEP) announced in February.

Announcing the Broadbridge project earlier this year the erstwhile Education Minister John O’Dowd said the development was necessary in order to enhance the education offering in the rural Derry area.

“Ongoing investment in our schools’ estate is essential if we are to continue to provide a high quality education,” said Mr O’Dowd.

“This announcement has been made possible by an increase in the DE capital budget of £46.9million or 32 per cent in the financial year 2016/17,” said the former Education Minister.

The sight of shovels at work will be a welcome boost for pupils, parents, teachers and governors who have been helping to raise funds for the new extension and facilities for the past few years.

Earlier this year TAL was awarded a £1.3m contract at Sacred Heart Grammar School in Newry which is also on site.

Other projects delivered by TAL recently include Portico Arts and Heritage Centre – Restoration of the Grade A listed Portaferry Presbyterian Church, Serum Production Facility at Randox Science Park and The Museum of Orange Heritage.

The firm is also on site at Altnagelvin Area Hospital constructing Northern Ireland’s first health and wellbeing campus.