Works in Kinnegad and Castlepollard done by April 2024

Work on parks in Kinnegad and Castlepollard will be complete by April 2024, the library in Kinnegad by May 2024 and the Market House, Castlepollard by early 2025. Updates on the regeneration projects were delivered at the March meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.

Cllr Frank McDermott wondered why the architects were charging €300,000, a figure he found “alarming” and “colossal”. He was told the fees were elevated because the design team would be directly supervising the construction.

Cllr Emily Wallace was told the council would manage the parks, the library service would manage the library, and the property management department at Westmeath County Council would manage the Market House.

Cllr Aoife Davitt was assured that the Kinnegad library will be open from 8am to 10pm seven days a week.

Cllr Denis Leonard welcomed the new park in Kinnegad, saying “we have had about half an acre of space for about 3,000 people over the last 10 years, that is the sum total of amenity space in Kinnegad”.

Cllr Leonard asked if any left over budget could be used to replace equipment at Riverside Park, Kinnegad. He was advised that Riverside Park was not a matter for the regeneration team.

He asked what courses would be provided at the library facility “because, at the moment, nobody can be educated in Kinnegad past the age of 13, in any shape or form, other than English classes for the Ukrainians”. He was told educational courses will be run there.

Cllr John Shaw remarked that it costs a lot of money to maintain outdoor areas. He asked if Riverside Park is going to be improved or replaced. The council and the community must decide whether to invest in “two parks or one exceptional park that we can really hang our hat on”.

Cllr Paddy Hill asked that the council investigate the possibility of providing off street car parking in Castlepollard as a site might be available for such. He was assured that the regeneration team was happy to hold further discussions on providing off street car parking at the location.

Chairperson Cllr Hazel Smyth asked if awnings would be provided in the parks to give shelter from rain and sun, and if bike racks, a sensory garden and xylophones would be provided. The meeting was told awnings can be considered as part of the overall design.

Following local consultation, sensory facilities will be located indoors where it is quieter. Bike racks and xylophones can be provided.