'Specialist advisors' needed to progress new CRHS plans

£3.2 million in Budget from Project Development Fund

Additional ‘specialist advisors’ are being appointed to lead on the development of a new secondary school in Castletown.

Treasury has confirmed £3.2 million has been allocated to the Project Development Fund, from this year’s Budget, which will support plans to replace Castle Rushen High School.

This will be used to consider overall site opportunities and demands, designs for the facility and the wider development of the area as well as ‘future proofing’.

Money was first set aside in the Budget for a new school in 2016.

It's now estimated to be built between 2025 and 2028 with a replacement sports facility estimated to be completed by 2030.

Treasury Minister Alex Allinson said: “We are accelerating the design stages and appointing additional specialist advisers to lead on this major investment.

“Clear communication and engagement with the communities in the south is key to this project and it is planned to present further details to them in the coming months.”

In January the Education, Sport and Culture Minister Julie Edge unveiled what she described as an ‘indicative masterplan’ for the southern site.

Describing it as a ‘strategic vision’ she said it would inform the design stage of the project – no documentation, except a ‘conceptual image’, was released to the public.

She was also unable to confirm if the Southern Swimming Pool would remain open until the new school, and six-lane regional swimming pool, was built.

The DESC also confirmed to Manx Radio funding for the subsequent stages of the school, including construction, would be subject to further Tynwald approval.

You can find out more HERE.

Treasury has also confirmed today (20 February) contingency funding of £350,000 is being made available to assist with regional swimming pools.

It follows a report over their viability which was released by the DESC earlier this year.

Tynwald will vote on the Budget later today.

Find out more about this year's Budget and how it will affect you by clicking HERE.