Tynwald considers £29m for school

The main building work for the new school would start later in 2009

The Manx government is seeking approval for a £29.6m scheme to build a new lower school.

The new St Ninian's Lower School at Bemahague in Onchan will cater for 800 pupils, with work starting next month if Tynwald agrees the funding.

The Department of Education (DoE) wants £29.6m to complete the main work.

The DoE plans to close Park Road School in Douglas and relocate its 467 pupils, as well as Year 9 from St Ninian's Upper School, to the new school.

St Ninian's Upper School will be retained for Years 10 to 13.

Sporting facilities

Education Minister Anne Craine MHK said the school will have three teaching blocks set over three storeys, located off a glazed "street".

Other facilities will include a sports hall and changing facilities with direct access for community use, an assembly hall, a full cooking kitchen and dining facilities and a lecture theatre.

Football and rugby pitches, a cricket oval, an all-weather pitch and tennis courts are also planned, as well as extensive further hard play areas and soft landscaping.

Although it is planned that the majority of the school will be completed by July 2012, the all-weather pitch and tennis courts, will be ready for use by school and community groups by spring 2011, it is hoped.