Contractor appointed for Southern Regional College’s £14.5m project
Southern Regional College has appointed Felix O’Hare & Company as the principal contractor to build a new cutting-edge Innovation Centre on the existing Newry East Campus car park on Patrick Street.
The new campus, formerly the site of Newry Sports Centre, will be fully funded by the Department for the Economy and will see the rationalisation of the college’s Newry estate, expanding its presence on Patrick Street and reinforcing its commitment to providing high-quality, future-focused education infrastructure.
Construction is due to commence early next year with the build planned to be operational from September 2027.
The project aims to not only directly enhance the provision of high-quality professional and technical education across the region, but it will also generate valuable employment opportunities for local citizens.
Welcoming the contractor’s appointment, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA, Minister for the Economy, said: “This £14.5 million project, fully funded by my department, aligns closely with my economic vision.
"The award of this contract gives Newry city and the wider area a significant boost through the expansion of access to high-quality vocation and technical training provision.
“I look forward to seeing construction commence on site next year, ahead of the new Innovation Centre opening its doors to students in September 2027.”
The new Innovation Centre, designed by McAdam Design, received full planning approval earlier this year.
Spanning 2,223 sq m, the two-storey facility will offer “vibrant, student-centred learning environments promoting innovation, creativity and academic excellence across further and higher education”.
Key features will include a dedicated project-based learning space, collaborative workspaces and breakout areas, all designed with a strong focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.
Lee Campbell, Principal and Chief Executive of SRC, said: “The new Innovation Centre will position us to meet the evolving demands of a modern economy and it reflects our ambition and sustained commitment to deliver innovative, future-ready education.”