Replacement high school important for community, minister says

The digital concept design shows the potential layout of the scheme

A replacement school in the south of the Isle of Man will be a "much needed educational and community" facility the education minister has said.

A conceptual image of plans for the rebuild of the aging Castle Rushen High School has been made public.

The "indicative masterplan" for the site, set to be complete by 2030, features a six-lane pool and sport hub.

Julie Edge said the department would "move at pace" to get the development finished.

The new plan, featuring the pool, was released after the department agreed to continue to subsidise a nearby pool until 2025.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture (Desc) had previously said it intended to seek Tynwald approval to shut the Southern Swimming Pool due to shortfall in subsidies for regional facilities.

But after a "survival plan" was presented by local politicians and the pool board it was given a year-long reprieve.

Funds to design a replacement high school were first budgeted for in 2018

The school is set to be built in stages first to minimise disruption to education, with work on the sports block block, with changing facilities to serve the indoor and recently completed outdoor pitches, and swimming pool to follow.

The department said it would be it would be "a significant investment in the south".

"It demonstrates the government's commitment to deliver a secure, vibrant and sustainable future where outstanding lifelong learning and development opportunities are available for all", it said.

Following calls for her resignation in Tuesday's House of Keys sitting over the recommendation to close the existing Castletown pool, Ms Edge said the strategic vision for the site had been developing for "some time".

The masterplan would "inform the design stage and subsequent next steps", she said.

"I know how important this development is and it is our intention to move at pace to complete this much needed educational and community infrastructure for the south," she added.

Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X? You can also send story ideas to [e-mail]