Future Plans
Local Architects, Gaffney & Cullivan drew up plans in co-operation with the Dept. of Education, parents and teachers. The final plans have been submitted to the Dept. Following Dept. approval the B.O.M. will be looking for planning permission and putting the job out to tender.
The new extension will see the school more than double in area. It will include:
This new General Purpose Room or Hall will be available to all organisations and groups within the parish. Such a hall will be invaluable to the people of Lacken for various functions and activities.
Before Christmas a fund raising committee was elected. This hard working committee chaired by Mr. Jimmy Galligan, Oghill set about raising £25,000 or 10% of the cost as the Dept. would grant aid the project to the tune of 90%.
It was decided to raise as much as possible by way of selling £20 tickets. Each family got 20 tickets to sell. The committee wrote to companies and businesses looking for sponsorship. They also wrote to past pupils asking them to buy tickets. Past pupils were contacted in Ireland, Great Britain, Australia and America. Their response was fantastic.
The culmination of the ticket sales came one Easter Sunday night with a super draw in Ballinagh community centre. The draw and the night were a great success and altogether over £30,000 has been raised. Well done to everyone associated with this campaign.
It is hoped that building will commence during this school year. With this extension the young people of Lacken can learn in a school which is modern and equipped to deliver the new curriculum.
Though well maintained by the various Boards of Management since its opening in 1950, it became ever more apparent in recent years that a major upgrade of the building was required. The curriculum had changed twice since the school was first built. In June 1999 Mr. Kevin Foley wrote to the Dept. of Education and Science making a strong case for a major school extension. Following a meeting with Mr. Jonathan Bliss (chief architect Dept. of Ed.) in September 1999 a major extension and refurbishment was sanctioned in writing in May 2000.
New classroom-to replace prefab
Conversion of two existing rooms into one
Refurbishing an existing room
New library
New staffroom
New toilets
New office
New special tuition room
New general purpose room or hall.
