Community benefits highlighted as proposed Ballyclare Nursery move to former school site nears ‘final stages’

Discussions around the proposed relocation of Ballyclare Nursery are “reaching the final stages” with staff and parents keen to move to the former Tir na Nog site on the town’s Doagh Road.
Education Minister Peter Weir with the Principal of Ballyclare Nursery School, Emma Corry and South Antrim MP Paul Girvan.Education Minister Peter Weir with the Principal of Ballyclare Nursery School, Emma Corry and South Antrim MP Paul Girvan.
Education Minister Peter Weir with the Principal of Ballyclare Nursery School, Emma Corry and South Antrim MP Paul Girvan.

Earlier this year the Principal and Board of Governors at Ballyclare Nursery received an offer from the Ballyclare and Ballygowan Parish to relocate to the recently vacated Tir na Nog site.

The existing nursery building in Ballyclare’s Grange Estate has deteriorated over recent years.

Detailing the proposed move, a spokesperson for Ballyclare Nursery School said: “A number of years ago the Education Authority (EA) submitted a proposal that the nursery school would relocate to a new purpose built unit with Ballyclare Primary School along the Doagh Road.

The former Tir na Nog site. Pic by Google.The former Tir na Nog site. Pic by Google.
The former Tir na Nog site. Pic by Google.

“However, given recent agreement for significant refurbishment to Ballyclare Primary, this proposal now appears to be extremely unlikely.

“The Principal and Board of Governors have continued to request a new site or vast improvements to the existing site with the preference being the former.”

Commenting on the closure of Tir na Nog, the spokesperson continued: “It was really disappointing to see the closure of one school in Ballyclare, however, this presented a great opportunity for the nursery to hopefully move to a building which fits the teaching requirements of the nursery and more importantly a building with superb outdoor space for the child.

“There has been considerable work from all parties up to this stage, site visits which included the Education Minister and South Antrim MP Paul Girvan, meetings with the EA and Department of Education and the submission of several business cases and reports.”

They added: “We await an invitation from the Department of Education for a non-monetary benefits workshop. A paper has already been prepared in view of this meeting and has highlighted the many non-monetary benefits that this move would have for the school and the wider community.

“This includes better and safer parking for parents and staff, great outdoor space, much improved toilet facilities, more conducive layout and with a large central space that will allow so many additional activities and events.

“Fr Rooney and Fr Fox have been advocates for this move from the beginning and have the overwhelming support of the parish. Support for this relocation has been evident from across the community and a recent parent survey has attracted over 650 positive responses.

“The EA and Deptartment of Education internal process is reaching the final stages.

“The Principal and Governors have submitted their report highlighting the non-monetary benefits to both the DE and the Education Minister.

“The parish has sent another letter supporting the move and the local MP and Assembly members from all parties have continued to voice their support.

“At times, all those involved with Ballyclare Nursery find it hard to believe that such an unprecedent offer has been made by the Ballyclare and Ballygowan Parish, and, as we approach the final stages of the decision making process we all really hope that we will get a positive outcome, giving the current and future pupils of Ballyclare Nursery School a Christmas present they will never forget.”

South Antrim MP Paul Girvan has called for a meeting with Education Minister Peter Weir to discuss the “community benefits” of the nursery school’s possible re-location.

The DUP representative said: “The quick movement from the Department of Education on the potential move to the Tir na Nog site is very much welcome. After the meeting with the Minister on-site earlier in the year, he gave a commitment to look at this move quickly and he has kept his word.

“I have asked the Minister to meet with the Board of Governors from the nursery school and myself to discuss the community benefits of the nursery school moving to the Tir na Nog site.

“The larger site would enable much more outdoor activities for the children attending as well as providing much better car-parking for staff and parents.

“The current building at Ballyclare Nursery School needs quite substantial repairs, the cost of which would go a long way to setting up on the Tir na Nog site.”

Mr Girvan added: “There is also the question of what would become of the current site of Ballyclare Nursery School. Every week I help families on the waiting list for social housing. The site of the nursery school would be in a perfect position to be developed to help alleviate this pressure.

“The move would be a win for everyone concerned, but primarily it will help our children. I am optimistic about the proposals and encourage everyone in the area to support Ballyclare Nursery School as it presses forward with it’s plans.”

Welcoming the potential move to the former Tir na Nog site, Fr Joseph Rooney, parish priest of Ballyclare and Ballygowan, said: “The Parish of Ballyclare and Ballygowan welcomes and supports the proposed relocation of Ballyclare Nursery School to the former Tir na Nog site.

“The Diocesan Trustees unequivocally support this proposal, and the Principal and Board of Governors of the Nursery School are enthusiastically working with us to see the relocation become a reality.

“We know that the community in Ballyclare will warmly welcome the relocation as an enhancement of local educational provision.

“The Catholic community of the Parish also welcomes their former primary school being used by the community as a whole. This will also undoubtedly further improve community relations within the Ballyclare area.”

The Department of Education confirmed that Minister Peter Weir visited Ballyclare Nursery School in July where he met with Principal Emma Corry, Governors, local representatives and others, to discuss nursery provision in the town.

For more on this story, read here--

Editor’s message:

Thank you for reading this article. We’re more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.Please consider purchasing a copy of the paper. You can also support trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription of the News Letter.