THE first drawings of what Enniskillen Model Primary School’s new building will look like were unveiled at a public consultation on Tuesday.

The planned two-storey building is to consist of 14 new classrooms plus a two-class speech and language unit.

It has been designed by architects, McAdam Design.

The new design includes a central courtyard, linked by a glazed link to the original former schoolhouse which is a grade B1 listed building.

A new multi-purpose hall, dining hall and kitchen have been strategically located on the site and within the plan to promote a ‘school in the community’ ethos which will allow the local community access to certain facilities outside school hours.

The new development will “respect” the old building and streetscape.

Chairman of the school’s Board of Governors, Peter Little, said those who attended the public consultation had been “very positive” about the design.

“It has been designed in such a way to harmonise with the red brick of the old building,” he explained, “While we have worked with the plans for a number of months, Tuesday night was the first opportunity to see a visual video impression of how it will look. All the governors and the principal were very pleased.

“It is a great building and it will enhance the Dublin Road aspect.

“It is a very efficient design, will not only in terms of energy, but also in terms of being a working building, with first rate facilities and a very pleasant environment for teachers and the boys and girls.” Mr. Little said it was still unclear when exactly the school would be complete.

“The funding has been offered for this year. There are the usual procedural delays and hurdles to get over in terms of planning permission and the final production of the detailed design plans. It is difficult to know when we will actually have our fine new building. But certainly, good progress has been made.” The chairman said that while some disruption to the present school could be expected during the construction phase, this would be kept to an absolute minimum.

“The existing school will continue to run as normal during the building phase.

“This has been a long time coming. And while it is still not delivered, we are encouraged by what we have seen from the presentation. We just hope that the remaining administrative hurdles can be successfully overcome,” he added.

The project will be developed over several phases.

In phase one, the new school building will be constructed completely independently from the existing school.

Upon completion of phase one, the existing school will decant into the new building.

A temporary carpark completes phase two allowing the contractor to establish a new compound with access off Castlecoole Road.

During phase three, the existing school will be demolished with a clear health and safety separation between the two sites.

The site works will be completed during phase four providing a new site layout.