Tenders invited to build new home for Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan

(Above) Mercy Secondary School prinicpal Garrett Farrell.

The long awaiting new home for Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan moved a step closer to construction recently when the tendering process got under way.

Contractors have been invited to send in expressions of interest for the construction of a new 650-pupil school on a greenfield site located about 500m from the current school campus on the old Dublin Road.

The development will consist of the construction of a two-storey school building – including general teaching and administration rooms, PE hall with fitness suites, Special Education Needs unit and ancillary accommodation, ESB sub-station, external stores, car park, bus and car set down facilities, two basketball courts, hard and grass play areas, soft landscaping, new vehicular and pedestrian site entrance and exit points, new boundaries and general site development works. The proposed development also includes the following works outside the site boundary: new footpaths and cycle lane along R446, new street light posts, connection to exiting services, traffic calming measures, new pedestrian crossing and alteration to existing road markings.

Principal Garrett Farrell said there had been fears that the start of the tendering process would be delayed because of the coronavirus. “It’s brilliant news. We were worried, but thankfully the design team have been able to keep it moving on. We need a new school badly, it goes without saying. Everybody also needs a boost in these times so the sooner we see diggers and machinery on the site, the better. We have been told that there should be a builder on site before the end of the year. We can’t wait. If the school numbers weren’t so good, if the school wasn’t trusted by local families, it wouldn’t be happening. It is borne out of loyalty and hard work, “ Mr Farrell said.