PROJECT PROFILE
DEVENISH COLLEGE, ENNISKILLEN
pandemic and subsequent global inflationary surge and shortage in construction materials.
deposited in the hollow to create the levels for playing fields. “Removing such a volume was logistically difficult in the famous Fermanagh weather and, until it was done, we couldn’t get in and start construction.” Designed as two- and three-storey structures, the three buildings of the main school campus are stepped down the hill, requiring mitigating features such as retaining walls, basements, gas membranes and waterproofing. “We had to be really careful how we sequenced the building because it has around 10 different roof levels,” said Cormac. “You build down with the gables and scaffolding and can’t finish the lower roof until the higher levels are finished. It was definitely a very challenging site with a lot of strategy involved.” The contractor delivered around £500,000 of additional works beyond its original contract remit, including special needs hygiene facilities in a tricky third-floor atrium area and new facilities in the science and technology
rooms. Floodlighting was also added to the 3G pitches to allow the school to generate out-of-hours revenue. Currently delivering the £55m St Ronan’s College in Lurgan, Glasgiven Contracts is proud of its work at Devenish College. “The old building was in poor repair,” said Cormac. “The school now has a great building and facilities in which its students can thrive.”
Cormac Murphy, Managing Director, said, “We were about a year in when Covid hit, and it was a majorly disruptive force for a year and a half, with the lockdowns stopping progress and self- isolation impacting the labour force. “Then we had hyper-inflation and the rapid cost increases at that time. It did create issues with the project, but we got through it and handed over a very impressive building in the end.” Pandemic aside, the project posed many complex demands. Before breaking ground to lay foundations, Glasgiven Contracts first had to acquire Department for Infrastructure sign off for widening the Tempo Road with a
PROJECT TEAM...
Client: Education Authority
Main contractor: Glasgiven Contracts Ltd
Architect: Isherwood + Ellis
filter lane for turning into the site. And the sloping greenfield site
Civil & structural engineer: Taylor & Boyd
demanded extensive excavation, as well as meticulous planning and execution. “The topography of the site is a hill with a basin at the bottom,” said Cormac. “Over 200,000 cubes of material had to be excavated from the hill and
M&E engineer: Caldwell Consulting Engineers
Electrical contractor: Braham Group
16 Ashleigh Court, Glasdrumman Road, Annalong, Co Down BT34 4PD T: +44 (0) 28 4376 8824 - E: info@glasgiven.com www.glasgiven.com
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