Member's statement: Tandragee Junior High School: New Synthetic Sports Pitch
Member's statement by Mr Gareth Wilson on .
- MLA
- Mr Gareth Wilson
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 17 February 2026
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- Tandragee Junior High School: New Synthetic Sports Pitch
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5394262
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I take this opportunity to welcome the unlocking of funding by the Education Minister, Paul Givan, under the curriculum-led capital programme to secure a new synthetic sports pitch for Tandragee Junior High School. This is, of course, a welcome development, and it follows the decision by the Education Minister to commit to a new-build project for the school. It is exciting news for Tandragee Junior High School. I am a past pupil of the school who, on many a wet afternoon, played on a muddy grass pitch. The vision of a new, all-purpose, synthetic surface is a real game changer for the school. It is also important that progress continues to be made on forward planning for the new build, which will be an exciting new resource. The securing of a new build for Tandragee Junior High School and the new commitment by the Minister for a synthetic sports pitch represent a real and purposeful investment in education provision in the area. It is certainly a seal of approval for the well-cherished Dickson plan that Tandragee Junior High School so ably caters for. With investment secured for that specific site in Tandragee, as an MLA for Newry and Armagh, I am also very committed to continuing to lobby for Markethill High School. There is a real and pressing need for investment in that site on the Mowhan Road. Markethill High School continues to perform impressively as an education provider. The Minister has visited the school on a number of occasions, and I have been in communication with him again in recent days on continuing work on that development requirement. Markethill High School deserves investment, and I will continue to make the case for that. The school is highly cherished in the town and, indeed, for miles around. It is a top-quality provider, and the principal, Mr Berry, and all the staff work tirelessly to make the educational journey for pupils inspiring and informative, which is seen in the consistent results of the pupils. That enthusiasm and success needs to be rewarded with investment in the site. I will continue to make the case to the Minister for that important resource in the days ahead.
364 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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