Work set to commence on Saggart Community Centre
By Aimee Walsh
COMMENCEMENT of construction on Saggart Community Centre is to begin in the coming weeks.
The council have confirmed that the contractual and legal agreements required between the council, the Saggart School House Community Centre Board of Management and the building contractor are being finalised.
An artist impression of the Saggart Community Centre
These agreements are expected to be completed in the coming weeks and will be followed by the commencement of construction works shortly after.
The project to transform the old St Marys National School in Saggart into a community centre and civic space got the green light last June.
The works by the council will include the conservation, restoration and renovation of the school, which has been unoccupied since 2014 and is a Protected Structure.
There will also be the demolition of the rear north section of St. Mary’s National School building to accommodate new entrance.
Plans for the building include a new single storey multi-function hall, a new glazed entrance, reception and youth café area.
During the public consultation period in February to April 2020, the Board of Management of Saggart School House Community Centre welcomed the plans for the proposed centre, that will be a “well-blended mixture of traditional with modern”.
The board did, however express their concerns over insufficient parking facilities which may diminish the potential success of the centre. A subsequent review at the request of the Community Development team further increased the parking spots from 10 to 14 spaces by encroaching partially on the proposed play space area.
