Revised completion date for Strule Shared Education Campus

by Gráinne Connolly

Last year it was confirmed that the Strule Education Campus in Omagh would be ready for opening in 2020. 

However, it's been revealed that the completion date has been revised. 

West Tyrone MP, Barry McElduff received a letter from John Smith, from the Department of Education stating that the date to finish has been put back by a year. 

The letter, which has been read by Q Radio stated: 

"The completion date for the campus has been provisionally revised by one year to 2021. This is due to procurement issues, which are now resolved." 

"I would like to take this oppoertunity to reassure you that despite this revision, the Project Management Team are determined to continue delivering Strule Shared Education Campus at pace."

While welcoming the Department of Education's pledge to keep the shared education campus project moving forward 'at pace', Mr McElduff says that any slippage in the completion date is concerning. 

"This is indisputably an iconic project which will help to meet the best educational interests of many young people in the Omagh area for generations to come. 

"There is strong political and community consensus around the development of six schools on a single site. 

"It has been consistently identified as a Programme for Government priority with ring-fenced capital funding. All schools involved have been committed and creative in helping to plan and design the project." 

The MP also speaks of how the project is a symbol of unity: 

"Once a British Army Garrison and a symbol of division in the county town of Tyrone, the Strule site now offers an alternative vision of unity and great hope for the future. 

"I am seeking an imminent meeting with Department of Education officials for a full briefing on the procurement issues which are said to cause this delay and to seek a renewed commitment on the part of the Department to overcome any further hurdles should they arise."