Next steps for Clane Library outlined to Kildare Cllr

An Independent councillor for the Clane-Maynooth Municipal District (MD) tabled a motion for Kildare County Council (KCC) to outline its next planned phase for the upcoming Clane library.

Cllr Pádraig McEvoy asked KCC about the next phase for the project at the latest MD meeting, which took place on Friday, July 5 last.

Specifically, Cllr McEvoy submitted the following motion to KCC: "That the council outlines the next phase towards completing the development of the Clane Library, now that national funding has been allocated."

His motion was seconded by Fianna Fáil Cllr Daragh Fitzpatrick.

KCC responded via its report at the meeting with the following: "Under public library capital investment, the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) has granted KCC €1.9 million towards the delivery of Clane Community Library.

"€1.1m has been approved by the MD from Local Property Tax from 2021 to 2024.

"The balance of the €3.8m project will be funded by KCC under the Capital Programme."

Independent Cllr Pádraig McEvoy (File photograph).

KCC continued: "The Part 8 Planning Report for the Clane Library Capital Project was approved in May 2023; following the completion of the detailed design, the Stage 3 application was submitted by the Library Service to the DRCD in December 2023 and we await their response.

"The Library Service is currently working with the Design Team on finalising the Bill of Quantities and the tender documentation for the main contractor.

"To comply with planning and health and safety requirements, the Library Service is also engaging with the Village Centre Management Company and the other Unit Owners to come to an agreement to make improvements to the common areas within the Centre as part of this project."

KCC emphasised that until the Library Service receives approval from the DRCD for its Stage 3 application, the council cannot proceed to publish the tender.

"We expect to receive their response in the coming weeks," KCC explained: "The tender process is estimated to take three-to-four months to complete.

"The Library Service must then submit a Stage 4 application to the DRCD for approval before the contract with the successful contractor can be signed.

"The construction stage is currently estimated by the Design Team (to be) at 12 to 14 months.

"The Library Service will need a further three months following handover for fit out, IT installation and shelving the collection before opening to the public," KCC concluded.

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'IRONING OUT' ISSUES

Gillian Allen, KCC’s County Librarian, was also present at the meeting, and told Cllr McEvoy that, in summary, KCC are 'ironing out' certain shared space in relation to the site’s car parking.

She added that once this is done, KCC can launch the tender for the project.

Ms Allen also said: "We hope to have a contractor on site by early 2025, and the works could take up to 12 months."

Cllr McEvoy asked her: "So, maybe 18 to 22 months from now, the project will be have progressed?"

"There definitely would be (progress by then), yes," Ms Allen replied.