Green light for multi-million euro Moate Community School extension

A multi-million euro extension to Moate Community School has been given the green light by the Department of Education. 

The local school was informed by the Department that the long-awaited project is now proceeding to the architectural planning stage and will be delivered by an external agency. 

The development is expected to include extra classrooms, specialist rooms for science, art, design and communication graphics, multi-purpose areas, and additional PE facilities. 

A canteen area and the school's first-ever library also form part of the plans. 

"We are delighted that the Department is committing to this. It's fantastic news for the school and for the local area," Moate CS principal Tom Lowry told the Westmeath Independent.

While the exact timeframe for the development is not known at this stage, he anticipated that it could be delivered over the course of the next 12-18 months. 

Mr Lowry thanked all of the local politicians who have assisted in bringing the project to this stage. Some 850 second-level students currently attend Moate Community School. 

The forthcoming development is regarded as the final phase of the original new school that was completed in 2002. 

Independent Alliance Minister of State, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, commented: “This is great news for the area. Cllr Michael O’Brien had been on to me about this outstanding issue for the school on a regular basis and I was more than happy to weigh in on it in order to get it resolved. 

"Myself and Michael met with the school and I was very happy to do whatever I could do to assist in completion of the final phase," said 'Boxer'.  

"This is basically the completion of the Community School,” said Cllr Michael O’Brien, “and it brings to an end a long wait to have the school finished."

"I am delighted on a personal basis also as a former pupil and I worked on this with Minister Moran with the school committee in order to bring matters to a successful conclusion."

Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy also welcomed the announcement that the extension was now going ahead. 

"I have been liaising with management at the school for some time to advance this project," said Deputy Troy. 

"Moate Community School has been steadily growing in numbers for many years now, and works to increase the capacity are absolutely essential at this stage. 

"The school has also impressed at national level across many areas and the works proposed will certainly help further foster an attitude of achievement amongst all pupils in the years to come."

Local Fianna Fáil activist and member of Moate Community School Board of Management Vinny McCormack also welcomed the news which, it is hoped, will provide the capacity to cater for a larger student population as well as offering a wider range of activities.

"I would like to sincerely congratulate Principal Tom Lowry and all of his staff on progressing the project to this point," said Mr McCormack. 

"I would also like to mention the contribution of the school building committee, lead by Kevin Duffy, which has played a massive role in this project to date."