‘Ambitious plans’ for new gym and childcare facilities in Offaly village

“Ambitions plans” have been revealed for new gym and childcare facilities in Moneygall, Co Offaly.

Olwen Cummins, Town Regeneration Officer at Offaly County Council, outlined the plans at the April meeting of the Birr Municipal District.

Ms Cummins provided details of the project proposed for 71 Church Street in the centre of the village.

She stated: “This is the derelict vacant property that was acquired under Building Acquisition Measure a few years ago.

“The Part 8 development and the work we have done has looked at it and it needs to be demolished.

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“So we’re currently trying to source funding to do that because the Town and Village [Renewal Scheme] doesn’t support it.

“Once we can work out that funding, the idea then is to use the project development measure to design it.”

She went on to outline the Moneygall Development Association’s plans for the building.

“The hope for Moneygall Development Association is to move their current gym down into this bigger area to make just a slightly enlarged community gym than where they are and some offices upstairs.

“Then where they have their gym currently they want to turn it into a community childcare facility because the parking is more adequate and it’s right across from the school.

“So that’s the strategic plan that Moneygall have, so we’re working away on that.”

Ms Cummins concluded by saying it is hoped that the Part 8 development will come before councillors in Q3 of this year.

Fianna Fáil councillor Peter Ormond commended the work of the Moneygall Development Association, who are in the process of creating their community plan.

However, he expressed concern as to where the money will come from to fund the Church Street project.

Cllr Ormond said: “Is there anywhere available that we can get the next round of funding in terms of moving this project forward?

“We’ve had €50,000 for a number of years to look at the existing structure and that plan has been done but in terms of getting it demolished.

“I understand that there is no funding available to demolish a building so either we have to look at other resources or tender grants.

“I just feel that we have to get over that stalemate before we can go to Part 8 on it. There’s very ambitious plans there for it in terms of moving the gym and getting that done so I think it’s important that funding would be looked at in some regard to get that done.”

In response, Ms Cummins agreed with Cllr Ormond and said he was “talking in the right house”.

She added that the council’s regeneration team has brought the matter to the attention of the management team and will be doing so again soon.