Work on new Community Centre in Offaly to start later this year

WORK on the construction of the new Community Centre in Offaly is expected to start later on this year.

The Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) in 2023 granted €1,407,659 for the new build Centre in Moneygall, and Offaly County Council worked closely with Moneygall Development Association (MDA) to submit the application.

“The MDA,” said Olwen Cummins, Town Regeneration Officer, during the May monthly meeting of Birr Municipal District in Birr Civic Offices, “is one of the exemplar groups in Offaly in terms of their energy and enthusiasm. The criteria for this scheme required that the project be shovel-ready with all the necessary permissions, consents and leases in place.”

The MDA, a company limited by guarantee, will be implementing the project, with supervision by Offaly County Council as the guarantor of the funding.

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A detailed design and compilation of Tender documents has been done and everyone is waiting the Government Department's approval. After approval an eTender advert will be placed. Construction is expected to start during the third quarter of 2025. It's expected the works will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2026.

Cllr John Leahy said the MDA is a very impressive group which is an inspiration to others.

The new, single storey Centre will be “ground-breaking” for the village.

Located at Moneygall Football Club it will geatly enhance the community amenities and those of Moneygall Football Club. It will consist of a meeting room, two changing rooms, toilets, shower areas, officials room, storage rooms, kitchen, and plant room. The funding was announced in April 2024. The centre will be an inclusive space for all, which will be filled with arts, culture, social and sporting activities.

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