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Fury over school’s eight year wait for gym

Tuesday, 29 April 2008

A NORTHSIDE principal has slammed the Minister for Education over delayed plans for a badly needed gym, which was promised over eight years ago.
Principal Tom O’Brien of Castleknock Community College described the delay in providing the development as “frustrating and unacceptable”.
“I’d imagine that the department has prioritised other projects over the provision of our gym,” he told Northside People.
“That is completely unacceptable, considering we got approval for the gym back in 2000 and the plan was re-approved again in March 2006.”
He added: “It is really very frustrating considering our school is one of the largest in the country.”
Castleknock Community College has over 1,100 students and 100 teachers.
The school, which is mixed, already has a modest sports hall. However, according to principal O’Brien, it is unsuitable for the size of the school.
“Only one class can practice PE at a time, which is a problem when there are 43 classes in the school,” he explained.
“It’s also important, in terms of health and well-being, that there is something available for our senior students who often need to break from their studies.”
Mr O’Brien believes the Department of Education is tightening its purse strings.
“The department told us recently that there was a delay but they wouldn’t explain why,” he said. “I think it is because of budget constraints. The plans for the gym have been put on hold before because of a downturn in the economy – I imagine we are in a similar situation now.”
According to the frustrated principal, many other people have tired of the delays at the Department of Education.
“The parents and students are also concerned, worried and frustrated that it is taking so long to see this facility get off the ground.”
Local TD Joan Burton (Lab) explained why the gym is badly needed.
“In the last general election, over 1,000 young people in the area signed a petition urging that the gym be built as soon as possible and that other sports facilities such as an all-weather pitch be provided and available outside of school hours,” she said.
“It seems now that the Government is running into financial difficulties, that the project for the gym in Castleknock is being downgraded by the Minister for Education from ‘urgent’ status to a much more indefinite time-frame.
“The school has an outstanding record of educational and sporting achievement.”
Deputy Burton added: “However, students currently have to take gym and sports in a very crowded and far too limited assembly hall.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Education clarified its position in relation to the plans for the gym.
“The building project for Castleknock Community College is at an early stage of architectural planning,” it was stated.
“The department has recently received adjustments to a stage two/three (sketch of the accommodation) and it is currently being reviewed. The department will be in further contact with the design team on completion of this review.”
The spokesperson concluded: “Progression of all projects to tender and construction will be considered in the context of the department’s multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.”

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