Work has begun on a construction project that will eventually pave the way for a new secondary school.

Tynwald last month unanimously approved funding of £2,074,000 for new playing fields at Castle Rushen High School.

Under the plans, the new school buildings will be constructed on part of the existing playing field.

But the first phase of the development will see new sports pitches created on a site gifted to the Department of Education, Sport and Culture in 2001.

The works involve the creation of a two-plateau terrace.

Two under-18 football pitches, a cricket pitch and wicket, and cricket practice nets will be located on the upper terrace plateau.

On the lower terrace there will be under-12 football pitches and a training area.

An under-18 rugby pitch and 400m grass running track will be created later, on the area of the existing playing field being built on, under a subsequent phase of the school development.

Construction access for the works is directly from Arbory Road through an adjacent field, so avoiding any works traffic through the school site.

Part of this field is also being used as a construction compound area.

Island Drainage & Groundworks was awarded the contract for the project, in the sum of £1,951,175.

Education Minister Dr Alex Allinson told Tynwald last month that the aim was to have pitches complete and seeded by September 15 next year, with overall construction including secondary drainage, finished by August 2022. He said the major earth moving works to create the two pitch terraces will be carried out before the winter break.

A UK specialist subcontractor will start work on the new pitches, artificial wicket and cricket nets, in spring 2021 under a second phase when the border restrictions will hopefully have been lifted, said Dr Allinson.

’This scheme represents a very important first step in the overall development of the new Castle Rushen High School,’ he told Tynwald.