Crazy estimated cost of €185,000 to fit out vacant Clondalkin community unit

Crazy estimated cost of €185,000 to fit out vacant Clondalkin community unit

By Maurice Garvey

CLONDALKIN Men’s Shed have blasted the estimated €185k cost to fit out a vacant community unit on Orchard Lane as “crazy.”

The premises forms part of a mixed-use development at Orchard Lane, Clondalkin Village – comprising apartments, ground floor retail units and a space reserved for community use.

Old Orchard Clondalkin Village 01 February 2017

Provision of a community space was included as a condition of the original disposal of the site in 2002, but the title has not been transferred to South Dublin County Council.

SDCC are not currently in a position to lease out the unit to any community groups until the title has been secured from the owners.

Clondalkin Men’s Shed – currently operating out of a domestic garage – have been pushing for the unit to open for community use.

Frank Cousins, CMS said: “We have electricians and plumbers in the group who are willing to carry out some of the works for free. All we need from the council is two toilets and a wash basin. The unit was signed off for elderly use back in 2002.

“It is a shell of a building, but it has lights, solid foundations, windows. To be told there is a figure of €185k to do it up is crazy. A sheer waste.”

Independent Councillor Francis Timmons sympathises with the group, but accepts that SDCC need to ensure the title is secured and works are carried out to the requisite standard.

“I share their frustrations, I do, that is why I’ve kept it on the agenda at the council,” said Cllr Timmons.

“But SDCC are pursuing the title through the law department and that can take time. When they get ownership they will bring it up to safety standards. The unit is for a senior citizens hub, for loads of groups that need the space.”

A spokesman for SDCC said the title transfer process is “ongoing” and communication is taking place with solicitors of both parties to “get this finalised”.

The unit is a currently a concrete shell with no fixtures or fittings of any kind.

The spokesman said: “Insurance, health and safety requirements, building regulation requirements and procurement rules would prevent the council from carrying out any interim works in advance of a full and proper fit out – which the council is committed to.

“It has been indicated that the council is willing to consider proposals from interested community groups either individually or from a combination of groups, where such group(s) have the capacity to comply with the various regulatory issues.”

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