Early 2022 start planned for Kinnegad library
Construction of the new community library and education facility at Kinnegad is set to commence in the first three months of next year – as long as Rural Regeneration Development Fund approval is granted, Cllr Denis Leonard was informed at the May meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.
The Labour councillor had asked for an update on the 2021 plans for the rollout of the rural regeneration programme in Kinnegad, in light of recent announcement of €7.6m in funding to advance the project.
The written response from the council stated that the Regeneration Team will be meeting with the Kinnegad community shortly (an online meeting).
“The aim of this meeting is to explain the Rural Regeneration Development Fund, its aims and objectives, the competitive bid process and marking scheme in advance of issuing an online community assessment survey,” Cllr Leonard was informed.
Director of services Deirdre Reilly said that it is intended to hold this meeting within the next two weeks. She added that it would be similar in style to an online meeting held recently with residents of Castlepollard over planned regeneration in their area.
The reply went on to explain that the purpose of the survey of locals is to establish the needs and aspirations of the community to inform the preliminary design for the town park and community facilities. Meanwhile, in parallel, the Detailed Design of the Community Library and Education Training Centre – which received Part 8 Planning Consent in December 2020 – is progressing.
Cllr Leonard said that the development was good news for a town that had been waiting so long for even just basic facilities.
He was particularly pleased to learn that there is a plan to meet the local community.
“I would have a database of just over 20 community groups in the area; there were more than 100 people at the launch of the Kinnegad Action Plan; a lot of people would like to take part in this,” he said.
He said that while the allocation of €7.6m was a lot of money, it had to cover five separate projects, and with community expertise and the council co-operating much would be achieved.