Virginia College to get additional buildings

Virginia College is to get additional accommodation to provide for a projected enrolment of 800 pupils. Cavan VEC has agreed the Department of Education and Science schedule of accommodation for Virginia College, which includes plans for additional classrooms, science labs, an art room, an architecture and material technology room and computer facilities. The VEC is hopeful that a design team for the new project will be appointed shortly. This further accommodation is in addition to the €7 million extension undertaken at the college in 2004 and reflects the dramatically increasing population in the Virginia area. Welcoming the announcement, Colm McEvoy, CEO, Cavan VEC, said that the agreement of the schedules of accommodation for the project was an important stage in securing an extension for the college. 'The very high standard of education on offer has led to an increased demand for places and this additional accommodation will be of great assistance to the school in sustaining and further developing its excellent reputation. Additional facilities have already allowed the college to extend its curriculum at both Junior and Leaving Certificate level and these additional facilities will increase the curriculum provision at the college.' There has been an growing demand for places at the college as the number of people living in the area has grown. The 2006 census put the population of the Virginia area at 3,118 inhabitants, having risen by 34.5% from the previous 2002 census. Virginia College was founded in 1962. A new extension was opened in May 1988 to cater for a projected enrolment of 300 students. Throughout the 1990s, enrolment continued to grow with over 400 students. As a result of the growth of the school, work began on a new €7 million extension in May 2004. The new extension was formally opened in August 2006. The college has a current enrolment of about 570 students and 50 staff. Mr. McEvoy also congratulated the Board of Management, principal Karen Fitzpatrick and acting principal Seamus Greene, on their commitment and dedication to securing the additional accommodation.