‘The most perfect setting for a community facility in the whole country’

THE NEW state of the art East Meath Civic Centre that opened its doors to the public for the first time on Tuesday will be “a flagship development that will demonstrate the future potential for the area” according to a local community activist.

Members of the press together with current and former politicians and local authority staff gathered on Monday to attend the official opening of the €10.1 million facility that will offer a vast array of public library, beach management and community services to people in East Meath.

The new 950 square metre four-storey landmark building situated on the beachfront was solely funded by Meath County Council and will offer a suite of public library services, including separate adult and children's libraries, a sensory room and a study hub/exhibition Area.

There will also be a lifeguard station, beach management area and a beach wheelchair service in addition to a changing room for people with a disability, all easily accessible on the ground floor.

The new facility also boasts a large meeting room on the ground floor and three meeting rooms on the third floor. In addition to enabling Meath Libraries to deliver a wide variety of events for people of all ages, these multi-functional meeting rooms will also be able to be booked for free by the local community, providing a new resource for civic and community events in East Meath.

Terms like ‘state of the art’, ‘high tech’ and ‘innovation’ get bandied around when describing costly developments of this scale and while all of the aforementioned attributes will be central to the new community hub, it struck me when touring the building that it will be the original concept of this project that of delivering 'just' a library that will prove to be its legacy in time, when the shiny brand new books placed in perfect spatial harmony will be dog eared by keen borrowers and the bright white shelving becomes scuffed by curious readers exploring the plethora of genres and generations of young and old in Bettystown have had the privilege of letting their imaginations get lost in their local world of books.

For all of the controversy the development has attracted due to its design and parking concerns, it cannot be denied that the amenity overlooking the Irish Sea is visually sensationally and a space that will not be able to do anything other than inspire those who use it.

In her speech, Meath County Council Director of Services Fiona Lawless said the project was “the most incredible building that Meath County Council has built in a significant number of years.”

“It has been 25 years since we have built a brand new library in this county and that was in Ashbourne,” she added.

Lawless said she has always been a champion for libraries even though admitting that she “did knock the last library that was in the area in 2010!”

She added that up to 15 locations were identified for the civic centre but that the beach front building “has to be the most perfect setting for a community facility, not only in Meath but in the whole country.”

“We didn't realise what a gem we had when this all started.”

Alan Watson, a long time member of the Beach Management Committee and advocate for better services in the area says the finished product was “tremendous” and will be a stepping stone for the community to thrive further.

“It is the first civic building that we have had east of the M1 for East Meath and I think that it is crucial that we have somewhere for the community to gather,” said Watson.

“What's more is that I think it is a flagship for the potential for the area,” he added.

“It has been controversial from day one but I think the reality has hit home with people that we needed not only civic facilities but facilities for the life guards and the beach management.

“It was summed up today when it was said that this building belongs to everybody, it is for the whole county, it is not just for East Meath. We now have infrastructure like we never had in this area. We have a population like we never had as well so it's really important that the population is served and I think it has now been demonstrated by investment in the area. We would all say it is long over due but it has been delivered now and that is the important thing.”

One of those who said that the building belonged to the community was An Cathaoirleach Cllr Sharon Tolan.

“I would like to express my immense pride in the benefits that this beautiful facility will provide to the people of East Meath. Through its library services, the East Meath Civic Centre will serve as an accessible hub of education and knowledge for individuals of all ages. The state-of-the-art meeting rooms equipped with audiovisual facilities and overlooking the beach are set to become a central hub for community and non-profit group events in East Meath. To the tens of thousands of annual visitors to Bettystown Beach, the Lifeguard Station and Beach Management services on the ground floor will provide essential reassurance and support.

“I am most proud of the inclusive design of this exceptional building. The ground floor features an excellent beach wheelchair service, and changing rooms will be available for people with disabilities—something I advocated for during consultations with the architects. This ensures that everyone who wants to enjoy the beach can do so with dignity.”

Chief Executive of Meath County Council, Kieran Kehoe commented that: “A project funded entirely by Meath County Council, this vibrant and innovative building is yet another example of our resolute and steadfast commitment to providing public services and facilities of the absolute highest quality in the county.

“At €10.1 million, this centre has been a significant investment for Meath County Council, but a critical one. This new facility will be a vital resource for the local community, offering invaluable public library, beach management, and community services.

“Every inch of this unparalleled facility is designed with a variety of users in mind. I have no doubt the over 20,000 local residents here in East Meath will quickly make this space a vital hub of educational, recreational and civic activities.”