IT WAS an exciting day in Enniskillen yesterday as the first sod on the new £6 million extension for Enniskillen Integrated Primary School (IPS) was cut.

Education Minister Michelle McIlveen cut the first sod on the project to build new classroom facilities.

The project represents an investment of more than £6 million by the Department of Education and will include a new permanent seven-classroom extension.

When complete, this will eliminate the need for temporary mobile accommodation on site.

Speaking at the event, Minister McIlveen said: “I welcome the significant £6 million investment in the future of Enniskillen Integrated Primary School. This new modern accommodation will provide an improved working environment for the staff and pupils of the school, which will have a positive effect for many years to come.

“I understand that schools are very much the hub of any community. I am therefore confident that this investment will also have a major impact on the wider local community, promoting good relations, and creating many positive outcomes.”

The scheme was announced as a project to receive funding from the Fresh Start Programme in March, 2016.

Minister McIlveen continued: “This is a good day for everyone at Enniskillen IPS, and I’m pleased that I could be here to celebrate this occasion with the school.

“I wish the pupils, staff and the school management every success as they embark on this new chapter and I look forward to returning soon, to see the new extension in use.”

Enniskillen Integrated Primary School Pincipal Adele Kerr said: "This morning we welcomed the Education Minister and representatives from our project team to cut the first sod of our new extension.

"As a school community we are delighted to get our building works under way. The sun shone and this allowed us to visit the sheep [being cared for by pupils] down at Year 7, and the Education Minister got to feed the sheep with the help of some pupils.

"On the way past the nursery, she got a great welcome from our nursery children, who were outside digging.

"The visit concluded with refreshments in the school hall and the Minister McIlveen had her coffee with our eco team discussing with the children all the projects they have led to achieve our fourth Green Flag."

The Chairman of the Board of Governors, Neil Jardine, said: "I am delighted to mark the official start of our extension on behalf of the whole school community.

"We look forward with excitement to monitoring the construction works over the next year and to having all our children back under one roof again.

"The additional state-of-the-art facilities will complement our existing school and provide many opportunities for our 430 pupils to experience the integrated ethos.

"We wish our main contractor, Woodvale Construction, well with the contract and look forward to occupying the new building in September, 2022."