Ambitious new plans by a Fermanagh entrepreneur are set to reinvigorate the former NI Hospice site at Killadeas that closed in controversial circumstances in 2018, The Impartial Reporter can exclusively reveal.

Local companies Quoris 3D and Quintess Denta have recently acquired the former Northern Ireland Children's Hospice - Horizon West which was built at a cost of £1.2m following concerted community fundraising for a facility which cared for sick children with life limiting illnesses.

The building, which was officially opened by the Duke of Kent in 2015, was put up for sale in 2019 after services at the Children's Hospice were suspended in 2016 before being closed in 2018. Problems hiring specialist staff meant the Hospice could not be operated as originally planned leaving the local community bereft of a much needed facility.

Now though, there is justified hope that the building will be put to use in a positive way, potentially making Fermanagh a leading destination in the field of dentistry.

The aforementioned companies, owned by local dentist Dr. James Hamill, intend to redevelop the site as a world class digital dental education centre - The LS Browne Centre.

Importantly, Dr. Hamill says the centre will honour the history and maintain the legacy of the building, positively impacting the area and the community for years to come.

Speaking this week to The Impartial Reporter with the renovations well underway, James Hamill said: “I am delighted to have been able to acquire the Horizon West building and over the coming weeks it will be exciting to have the privilege to be able to repurpose it into a world class facility that Fermanagh can be duly proud off.

"The important work of the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice continues, but what happens to the building in which much was invested by local people maybe of interest to some. As a company, and a team, some of whom were a part of the fundraising for Horizon West, we have a resolute desire that something positive should come out of the closure."

Quoris 3D/Quintess have carried out a wide ranging consultation among people who were involved with the building beforehand, and have brought a specialist in to help them to create the right legacy projects.

In addition, they are looking into what events they can regularly get their team and clients involved in that support the local community and the Northern Ireland Hospice.

Finally, they are ensuring that the history is recognised and honoured within the building and grounds as they redevelop the site. The memorial garden will be preserved and enhanced while inside the building, they are retaining some of the artwork from Horizon West and will display this alongside appropriate plaques so that visitors understand the history of the building. This includes a paper mâché Elephant - the ‘never forget’ theme of the elephant is an acknowledgement to the children who used the hospice.

The is also envisaged to create a Corporate Social Responsibility plan with the Quoris 3D/Quintess team in the coming months once the move is complete, encompassing environmental sustainability and community engagement.

James Hamill added: "We are very much looking forward to when Horizon West will reopen as the LS Browne Centre. We are aiming for the spring, when the centre will start to bring many people and significant business into the area. My team are excited about playing an important role in boosting the local economy whilst honouring the building’s history.

"What we are creating here in my home county is unique within UK and Irish dentistry and I am sure that our investment will positively impact the province, the island and the community for years to come. How great will it be to create a world-class teaching facility that benefits the Dental profession and their patients whilst being able to carefully respect the origins of the building we will be using."