This article is from page 16 of the 2010-01-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
THE people of Kilkee are getting their say in the design of a newly improved library and theatre for the town.
As it approaches its 50th birthday the Sweeney Memorial Library in the seaside town is to undergo a make-over that will see it trans- formed into a modern day public IPTOUSI Ae
The redevelopment of the library into a theatre and enhanced library is currently at the brief development stage, and local people will have their say online and through public
submissions in the near future.
Public involvement in the process has been welcomed by Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) who said it was im- portant that the community was in- volved.
Cllr Pat Keane (FF) told the Kil- rush Area meeting that the develop- ment of the building was a long time in the making. “We are three or four years trying to develop it.”
Cllr Keane raised concerns that Some of the €460,000 donated for the project by the Kilkee Civic Trust may have been lost due to a down- turn in investments, but was quick to add that such development work was
also much less expensive in the cur- rent climate.
Senior Executive Engineer Cyril Feeney informed the meeting that this initial stage of the development process was about “formulating re- quirements, objectives and accom- modation and working with ideas ahead of the formal appointment of a design team.”
Clare County Council architects have already been in consultation with the county arts officer and the county librarian to decide on some of the functions of the new library.
Among the functions proposed for the building is a ground floor library
space with scope for an enhanced li- brary service of all age groups and users, a first floor IT library space Nee Mr DOs. C0 loyialeyi me: Bucr.e
A theatre space with a stage and seating for up to 100 people that will include a film facility will also be part of any final design, as will a first floor multi-function room for use by re
The completed building will con- sist of two floors accessible through lift facilities.
Both theatre and library will be de- signed to work independently of one another, but will share core facilities such as toilets and exhibition area.