ACC remains on schedule for 2013 opening

The process of replacing Athlone Community College with a new building to cater for 1,000 pupils remains on schedule for a 2013 opening after news emerged in recent days that the successful construction company should be appointed by the third quarter of this year. It comes after confirmation that a number of expressions of interest have been received from several parties as part of the Public Private Partnership process (PPP). The new school is currently going through the tender procurement phase as part of a eight strong bundle in the Department's PPP programme, managed by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA). “Expressions of interest have been received by a number of consortia and the consultation process is on going,†the Department confirmed to the Westmeath Independent this week, adding that site visits have taken place by representatives of the shortlisted candidates. “Over the coming months, draft tenders will be submitted by the candidates and following further consultation and evaluation, a preferred tenderer will be appointed in the third quarter of 2011. Full local authority planning permission will be sought by the preferred tenderer,†the Department added. Afterwards, the next step will be reaching the financial closure for the bundle, expected to take place towards the end of 2011/early 2012 with construction on all sites shortly thereafter. “It is anticipated that the construction phase will be completed on all sites by the summer of 2013 with handover of the new schools taking place for the commencement of the new school year in September 2013,†the Department concluded. The group of eight schools to be provided through the PPP model was announced back in 2008 and outline planning permission has been obtained for each of the projects including Athlone Community College.