Stylish new Council HQ opens for business

'In sporting terms, you"re now wearing the flashy boots,' County Manager, Danny McLoughlin said as Westmeath County Council"s state-of-the-art new headquarters opened for business on Thursday last.Staying with the sporting metaphor, Mr. McLoughlin told his staff - 210 of whom can fit into the new €40 million building - that in these economically uncertain times, they can 'expect more tackles' ahead.But he reassured them that the comfortable and green environment of the new headquarters provides the perfect backdrop to dealing with such tackles, effortlessly and efficiently.Built by Westmeath building firm, Bennett Construction, and designed by Bucholz McEvoy architects, the 74,900 square feet County Buildings incorporate low-energy, passive design concepts, relying on a natural ventilation strategy throughout the building, and maximise the use of natural light.The project also involved extensive refurbishments to the existing County Buildings, including the Council Chamber, which was redesigned and kitted out with new furniture.The new Civic Offices include a new customer services desk and Mullingar area counter, along with a special area for examining planning files; a motor tax office with cash counter; a housing desk with two private interview rooms; a new housing information office; meeting and interview rooms on each of the building"s four floors; and the newly relocated Mullingar Branch Library.When fully operational, the library will have a total stock capacity of 30,000 items, including books, CDs, DVDs, audio books and language courses. Internet access will be available (facilitated by a suite of 16 public access PCs), while a new Local Studies department will facilitate access to a wide range of reference materials on the history and heritage of Westmeath.Other facilities include three party meeting rooms for elected members; full disabled access throughout the building; and a 160 staff parking spaces to the rear of Lynnbury Terrace, which is available for public use on Saturdays.Outgoing Westmeath County Council chairman Joe Whelan, who officially opened the new building, said that it was 'a singular honour' for him to open the new headquarters.'This development marks the continuation of over 800 years of administration in its various forms in this location,' Cllr. Whelan said.'This is a once in one hundred year event. If you revamp your image every one hundred years you should make it count. I think we have achieved that.'John Bennett of Bennett Construction paid tribute to all who had played a role in the delivery of the new headquarters, saying that 300,000 man hours had been given over to the project.The new County Buildings were jointly blessed by Rev. Fr. Joseph Gallagher, Adm., Mullingar, and Rev. Stephen Lockington, Mullingar Presbyterian Church.