PLANS for a £25 million rebuild on the striking `Garron Tower' school site have been lodged with council officials.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is considering an application for a new 800-pupil building for St Killian's College.
It will be built on its existing site at Tower Road outside Carnlough.
St Killian's opened in 2010 following the merger of three schools, including the former St MacNissi's.
It is known for its natural setting in grounds situated on a plateau about 200 feet above the Antrim coast road at Garron Point overlooking the North Channel.
The new buildings will be located to the rear of the site between two retained listed buildings - Garron Tower, which dates back to 1850, and St MacNissi’s college chapel.
A former stable block, the St Joseph’s building, will also be retained.
An existing extension to the original Garron Tower will be demolished and reduced back to the listed building.
It has been proposed that stone salvaged from this demolition will be reused.
St Killian's Principal Jonny Brady said the new build would have an impact on pupils' educational experience and emotional wellbeing.
"To be part of a school community where there is the potential of a new build is for many of us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it will mean that the college will be a modern, well-designed and fit for purpose school," he said.
Meanwhile, a multi-million pound building project has begun for St Ronan's College in Lurgan.
It is the largest single school project being supported by the Department of Education this year.
Representing a capital investment in excess of £30m, the non-selective grammar school will accommodate upwards of 1,750 pupils from 2023.
St Ronan's was created in 2015 through the merger of three schools in Lurgan.
The campus will feature a 20,000 square metre building comprising three storeys and extensive outdoor sports provision.
Respecting its heritage, the on-site chapel building will be preserved, refurbished and repurposed.
"Since the formation of St Ronan’s College in 2015 following the merger of St Paul's Junior High School, St Mary's High School and St Michael's Grammar School we have planned for a single campus state-of-the-art school which would provide the optimum learning experience and facilities for our pupils," said Principal Fiona Kane.
"I am delighted to see that dream becoming a reality with the physical works now beginning. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved so far and look forward to a school and facilities which will bring enormous benefit not only to our pupils but to the whole community."
