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Construction has officially begun on the new £14.5 million Newry Innovation Centre, with a sod cutting ceremony marking the start of work on the Southern Regional College project on Patrick Street in the city. The two-storey, 2,223m² building will be built on the former car park of the Newry East Campus, on the site previously occupied by Newry Sports Centre.
The ceremony was attended by officials from the Department for the Economy, along with representatives from contractor Felix O'Hare and Co. Limited and design firm McAdam Design.
Mrs Lee Campbell, Principal and Chief Executive of Southern Regional College, said: "I am delighted to see the Newry Innovation Centre project now reach this significant milestone. The College remains committed to building a strong educational future offering inclusive, high quality learning experiences while investing in cutting-edge, modern, and pioneering facilities that align with regional needs and progression pathways. This is an exciting time for Southern Regional College, the city of Newry and the wider region, and I look forward to seeing the project take shape in the months ahead."
Fully funded by the Department for the Economy and designed by McAdam Design, the new facility is expected to open in September 2027. Once complete, it will include purpose-built project-based learning areas, collaborative workspaces and breakout zones, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency.
Newry contractor Felix O'Hare and Co. Limited will deliver the project, with the build expected to generate local employment, including a number of apprenticeship and Higher Level Apprenticeship roles.
Mark Campbell, Managing Director of Felix O'Hare and Company Limited, said: "It's a privilege to be appointed as main contractor for the Newry Innovation Centre. Felix O'Hare is a Newry firm, and a project of this importance, built in our own city, means a great deal to everyone on the team. We'll be recruiting locally right through the build. That includes a number of apprenticeships and Higher Level Apprenticeships, giving young people here the chance to train on a major scheme and to build a career without having to leave the area. Skilled trades take years to develop, and projects like this one are how it's done. We're looking forward to delivering a best in class facility that Newry can be proud of."
Mr Ian Snowden, Permanent Secretary at the Department for the Economy, said: "I am pleased to be in Newry today to celebrate an important milestone for this project, which is being funded by the Department for the Economy. The construction of this new, state of the art campus will contribute to the Department's economic priorities, creating valuable employment and apprenticeship opportunities. I look forward to seeing the project develop into a vibrant educational environment that will inspire many."
The Innovation Centre represents a significant investment in Newry's educational infrastructure, with the project set to deliver modern learning facilities for the city and the wider region for many years to come.
