Pirrie Park was acquired by Methodist College in December 1932 from Harland and Wolff and the "main pavilion" was immediately converted into classroom accommodation for the new Preparatory Department, Downey House.

The Anderson Pavilion remains standing from those days but is sadly no longer functional.

The Anderson Pavilion in Pirrie Park

New changing facilities soon became necessary to cater for the larger numbers of pupils attending the College and participating in games. The rugby pavilion which looks out onto the Enclosure was built and formally opened in September 1957, the occasion being marked by a match between the College 1st XV and an Ulster Schools Select XV. Later in the same year, the girls' hockey pavilion was also completed and opened in December.

Official opening of the current rugby pavilion, September 1957

The school cricket pitch was initially on the site of the current Whitla Hall on the main school campus, but moved to Pirrie in 1934, and the College now has an excellent playing facility behind the current rugby pavilion.

"The swimming pool at Pirrie Park has only to be seen to be appreciated.......a gift from generous hearts to happy youth" - College Magazine, 1939

The swimming pool at Pirrie Park was opened in 1938 and provided changing accommodation, which continued to be used long after the pool was closed at the end of the 1970s. The pool hosted early school galas and diving competitions before moving indoors to the main school campus and eventually to larger local amenities for major events.