War Memorial Pavilion at Coleraine Grammar School rededicated following renovation works

Lord-Lieutenant of Co Londonderry Mrs Alison Millar formally unveilled a new plaque at a short ceremony attended by both current and former students and staff.

Causeway Coast and Glens Council mayor Councillor Steven Callaghan also attended.

The sports hall and changing room facilities have benefitted from the upgrading of the facilities.

The modern-day school is an amalgamation of Coleraine Academical Institution and Coleraine High School.

Around 700 people directly connected with the school – then known as Coleraine Academical Institution – served in the armed forces during the two world wars, with almost 100 making the ultimate sacrifice.

First constructed in 1953, the memorial pavilion commemorates the sacrifice of the former pupils and teachers.

The building was riginally intended as a clubhouse for former pupils, however, it became a changing facility for sport teams on the school estate.

A modernisation programme for the pavilion and adjoining sports hall building began following the establishment of Coleraine Grammar School in 2015.

The upgraded facilites now provide a more appropriate, high quality sports and changing facilities for all boys and girls at the school.

The facilities and meeting spaces are also now being made available to local groups and community organisations on a private hire basis.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the president of the school’s board of governors, William Oliver, said:“Almost 700 former pupils and members of staff served in the armed forces during the two world wars, with 63 killed in action in the first world war, and 36 who gave their lives between 1939-1945.

“For the past 70 years, this pavilion has served as a living memorial to those from this school who made the supreme sacrifice, while also housing the changing facilities for our sports teams.”

Mr Oliver added: "Today, we have a renovated building that still sits as a fitting tribute to all those Old Boys but is also a modern facility that fits the needs of the school in the 21st century and acts as a useful space for the local community.”

Any local community organisations interested in hiring the renovated sports hall can contact the Bursar, Mr Scottie Rankin, at the school for more information.

Back in September, the permanent secretary at the Department of Education, Dr Mark Browne, cut the first sod to officially mark the beginning of construction works at the school.

The investment of over £11million came from the department’s School Enhancement Programme.

There has been an ongoing upgrading for facilities on the site since the closure of the school’s boarding department in 1999.

According to the school’s website: “During the past two decades, the entire suite of science labs has been refurbished, a Technology Centre and a Home Economics Centre opened, the school library totally reconstructed and three new computer suites installed. In addition to the full range of general and specialist classrooms, there is a sixth form centre with a dedicated study area.”