The long awaited Lisanelly Educational campus was put back on the agenda this week by Ulster Conservative and Unionist Candidate Ross Hussey. Councillor Hussey who is the UCUNF candidate for the forthcoming General Election invited his European colleague, Mr Jim Nicholson MEP to visit the site. 

During the visit to the former Lisanelly and St Lucia barracks, Councillor Hussey discussed the potential for Omagh and the surrounding areas that the transfer of these sites would bring. The St Lucia site on its own is a marvelous historical record of Omagh’s links with the Inniskilling Fusiliers and the history of this town, the people who came to Omagh to join the Army, the people that were discharged at St Lucia and the strong family ties that still exist because of the quirk of nature that brought these people to Omagh to join the Army. The site has a huge potential for Omagh  District Council and Fermanagh District Council as a corporate headquarters - what other town in these islands could claim such a magnificent edifice as this site would or could provide. The potential for tourism and other associated businesses within the site is huge.

The Lisanelly debate has gone on for long enough - I had said that this was an excellent site for a new combined police/fire service and ambulance service training depot but that appeal fell on deaf ears and the Policing Board are determined to go for a new build on agricultural land near Cookstown. The education campus is on target and consultants are drawing up  the various options. I know, as a Governor of Omagh High School that the options open to us in respect of a new school for our pupils were ’Lisanelly or nothing’. We cannot accept the poor infrastructure that currently exists at the High School in Omagh, the staff and pupils are achieving very high standards in a poor working environment. A new school will boost confidence and prepare the children of Omagh for the future that awaits them.

Similarly Heatherbank School and the Sacred Heart College need new premises and they are also destined for the new site. Some schools within Omagh do not wish to participate in the project - those that do cannot be held back - so the sooner the work starts of the site - bringing vital jobs to Omagh the better. It will take several years for these three specific schools  to have their new buildings so I would urge the Minister to move on this  project for those that wish to participate as a matter of urgency.

Councillor Hussey continued, “As well as the project here in Omagh, I am also keen to see the progression of the Strabane schools project., which will see the amalgamation of Strabane High School and Strabane Grammar School.”

“Both the Strabane High School and Strabane Grammar are very good schools and continue to produce excellent results. Like the case in Omagh, I understand that there is a great sentimental value and attachment to the current set up, but the reality is that both school will become unsustainable in the near future. The creation of a new all ability educational  institution will be a challenge for everyone, and I am greatly disappointed that Minster Ruane is holding this project up.

"Whilst it would be tempting to concentrate on the District towns of Omagh and Strabane, I cannot fail to acknowledge the excellent Controlled Second Level education being provided at Castlederg High School.  Castlederg High is providing outstanding academic provision for its students together with facilities that encourage artistic, sporting and community development to the highest of levels.  Such excellence of provision must be maintained within any future educational configuration to ensure ease of accessibility to good schools throughout West Tyrone within the Controlled Sector."

“This attitude of contempt towards grammar or any kind of state school is totally deplorable. I would have to ask Pat Doherty, as a member of the Minister Ruane’s party, what he, as our current MP, is doing to address this very serious situation.” 

Adding to the comments made by Councillor Hussey, Conservative and Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson said, “I am very pleased that Ross was able to arrange a tour of this site. Although I visit West Tyrone as often as I can it is always difficult to look at every issue every time. 

“There is a great deal of potential here and I am very pleased to see that this site is being put to a use that will benefit the local community. Having met with some of the schools involved there is clearly a need for this to happen and I will certainly be lending any support I can to this project.