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Work can now start on former hospital site school
FUTURE education minister Eddie Teare has pledged his support of the department's plan to turn part of the old Noble's Hospital into a primary school.
The first phase of work, which involves making the Westmoreland Road, Douglas, site ready for demolition, started this week.
On Wednesday, Mr Teare — Health and Social Security Minister until April 1 — handed over the hospital keys to Education Minister Anne Craine, who moves to take over at the Treasury next month as part of Tony Brown's reshuffle.
Mr Teare said that he was fully behind the 11.1m project, saying: 'It's the way forward.'
He added: 'I'll certainly be keeping a close eye on progress and look forward to carrying on Minister Craine's work in delivering a first-class education facility.'
The school will have the capacity for 350 pupils and will replace Ballacloan Infant School and Fairfield School.
Mr Teare said: 'The old Noble's site is a prime location in Douglas and with much of the building decommissioned, passing a section of the property to the Department of Education will enable government to realise the site's potential in the form of a new primary school, which will serve the community in this area for generations to come.'
As well as coming under fire for his handling of the reciprocal health agreement former bank relationship manager Mr Teare has been saddled with a reputation for being miserly when it comes to spending public funds.
He responded to those concerns, saying: 'You expect me to take care of taxpayers' money — that's what I'm doing.
'Look at DHSS frontline services — we are delivering more for not a great deal more money.
'There's more procedures carried out at Noble's, more people being treated in the UK and more specialist staff. Where's the cuts?
'We've had to look at how we deliver services. When changes have been announced some have attracted some criticism.
'But once we've made the changes they have been well received in the main.'
Last month Tynwald approved 927,905 for the preparatory works — including removing asbestos from the buildings, demolition, levelling the ground and securing the site.
The work is expected to be completed by Christmas.
Following this, full investigations, designs and tendering processes will be undertaken and construction will begin in 2014.
The school, yet to be named, is due to open in September 2015.
The old Noble's site was opened in 1912 but has been marked for educational use since 2004 following the creation of a new hospital in Braddan.
The DHSS has been moving its services from the site although some, including the central community health centre, will remain next to the new school.
Two of the old hospital buildings will be retained for the school while an extension block will also be built.
Mrs Craine said: 'I am glad that at last we are able to move forward with the development of preparing this site for the new school.
'It will be good to see new beginnings on this old site that has been an important focal point for the families of Douglas for so long.'
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Weather for Isle of Man
Thursday 09 February 2012
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