In the last few weeks planning permission has been lodged for a sign-ificant new extension to Coláiste Iósaef, Kilmal-lock, which may be the largest school building project in the county in 2015.

The building will feature 12 new classrooms, 2 new science laboratories, a new technology room, a language lab and an IT suite, a tiered music and drama suite and a lecture hall. Significantly, it will also feature a full size state-of-the-art gymnasium and attached fitness suite which it is planned to make available as a community facility in the evenings.

“It has taken a while I admit, but I think it is going to be fantastic,” said school principal Mr Seán Twomey. “We’ve worked closely with the architects and county council plan-ners to ensure that every-thing is in line with them before lodging formal planning notification. I hope there won’t be any delays as this is not just a new school building but a new community facility.”

This building project process began under the guidance of the County Limerick VEC under former CEO Seán Burke and has continued under the new stewardship of Limerick and Clare ETB CEO Mr. George O’Callaghan.

The architects involved are Healy Partners. “This has been necessitated as a result of student number growth but it has also involved a lot of work from many partners, our trustees, the ETB and the Sisters of St. Paul, our Parents Association and the staff and students,” Mr Twomey stated.

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