Irish Minister Jimmy Devins has officially opened a new building at Dromore West Central National School.

Mr Devins was joined by Bishop Fleming, reverend clergy, members of the board of management, teachers and pupils.

"I would like to congratulate everyone involved in bringing this new building to fruition.

"I know that this was the Board of Management which submitted the applications for the funding to the Department of Education and Science, and that it was very involved in all aspects of the project," said the Minister.

Along with the demolition of the existing building and development of six new classrooms with storage areas and ensuite facilities, two resource rooms, a staff room, an office, a library/computer room, a General Purpose room and a servery, the project also provides the school with a junior play area, a basketball court, a football pitch and car parking facilities.

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"This modern building ensures that the whole community can be proud of the facilities available to pupils and staff of Dromore West Central National School," Mr Devins said.

"Raising funding in a small community for a project of this nature is a significant undertaking and requires dedicated people who are willing to be generous with their time and effort."

The Minister thanked the Department of Education and Science for the funding provided to the new facilities.

Refurbishment of the school grounds including the Ball Court, the Games Pitch and the junior playing area will assist the school's ongoing encouragement of physical activity, said Mr Devins.

He congratulated the design team, including architect Colin Bell, quantity surveyor Mulcahy Mc Donagh and Partners, mechanical and electrical engineers Cogan and Shackelton and the structural engineers Jennings O'Donovan.

"It is clear that together with the main contractor Kilrehil Brothers Ltd, the mechanical sub contractor McKelvey & Martin Ltd and the electrical sub contractor Eamonn Mc Gurran and Sons Ltd, you have delivered a wonderful learning environment for the children of Dromore West and the surrounding areas," added the Minister.

(PR)