Appeal for intervention over vandalised school

Appeal for intervention over vandalised school

4 November 2015

SDLP officials have called for urgent action to redevelop the former Kindle Primary School in Ballykinler to provide a new community facility.

The call comes after the Recorder recently published a series of shocking images which revealed the former Commons Road school has been reduced to a vandalised ruin.

The school closed its doors for the final time in August 2008 and has been repeatedly targeted by vandals and thieves. A wooden floor in the school assembly hall, which also doubled up as a dining area, has been stripped bare, while metal covers on drains and manholes have been removed.

Virtually every window has been smashed and metal cable ducts have been removed, leaving electrical cables hanging from the ceiling in every room.

Copper piping has been stripped from toilets, wooden doors have been torn off numerous cupboards, fluorescent light bulbs have either been stolen or smashed, while broken glass is scattered through the interior of the Commons Road building and litters what was once a happy children’s playground.

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie recently visited the former school accompanied by a number of her party colleagues and officials, and called for “urgent intervention” to make the site safe and develop the building to provide a new community facility.

“During our recent visit to Ballykinler residents articulated the need for a community facility in the village to be provided at the former primary school site. 

“I agree with that aspiration and will be meeting with senior representatives of the Education Authority shortly to ensure they make the property safe through the provision of secure fencing,” she continued.

“It is important Newry, Mourne and Down Council finds a means of purchasing this property and rehabilitating it for the purposes of a community facility that will facilitate activities and meetings for mother and toddler pre-school groups and older citizens for the people of Ballykinler village.

Councillor Colin McGrath said there was a “clear message” from local people that they want the former school building made safe and made available for community usage.

He explained he has been working with council officials to safeguard a council allocation of £80,000, secured by his party colleague Dermot Curran, to help upgrade this particular site and hopes the cash can be used to lever additional funds for the future development of the Commons Road location.

Councillor McGrath added: “I have asked council officials to liaise closely with the Ballykinler community to source funding so a much-needed comprehensive community hub can be developed for the area.”