New flagship Tipperary library projected to cost €15m as planning application to be lodged within days
A planning application for Clonmel’s new state-of-the-art library will be lodged within days, councillors have been told.
The facility will include a digital room, maker-space, exhibition and performance areas, creative studios and dedicated study spaces.
The library will be built over three floors on a site next to the county council offices and Clonmel Swimming Pool.
The current library has served Clonmel and surrounding areas for more than 40 years, but is no longer fit for purpose as modern libraries have evolved into multi-functional community spaces.
However, while €3 million has already been allocated to advance the project, the overall cost is now projected to reach €15 million, leaving a significant funding gap.
The new library will be a flagship library for county Tipperary, and will replace the existing library building, which is a busy local amenity.
At the June meeting of the Clonmel Borough District, county librarian Damien Dullaghan said that a planning application for the new facility would be lodged within days, but added that a significant funding gap still exists.
“We are about to submit a Part 8 planning application, the work is done, the files have been more or less completed, it’s a matter of days and not weeks for the planning application being lodged,” he said.
“We feel because of the size of the project, we should have not just a standard public consultation, but also a consultation day within the library with the design team on site, so we’re going to be holding that as well,” Mr Dullaghan said.
No date has been set for the consultation day yet, he added.
“That will be an opportunity for the public to meet with the design team to discuss the details and it’s very important because with 2,000 square metres of space, this is going to be one of the biggest libraries in the country.
“It’s hugely important that we get input and people’s opinions on what they want, because after all, this will be their library,” Mr Dullaghan said.
Councillor Tom Acheson asked Mr Dullaghan if the shortfall in funding to deliver the new library had been addressed yet.
“We’ve never hid from it, there is a funding gap there, and that gap is increasing because of construction inflation,” Mr Dullaghan said.
“I’m in continuous contact with the Department of Rural and Community Development, they’re acutely aware of this and we’re trying to work out solutions,” he added.