Work on the Trim Library and Cultural Centre to begin this year

 

Work on the Trim Library and Cultural Centre, which will see a major new performance space at the site of the existing library and old Methodist Chapel on High Street, is expected to start this year.

Trim Municipal District Council voted to proceed with the planning process for the new building, following a presentation to councilors on Friday.
Architect, Derek Tynan, outlined detailed plans for the performance space and library, which was met with an enthusiastic response from councillors.
"Based on the funding we applied for, we have to have the contractor on site in 2019," he said.
The new facility will see the development of a theatre space with 220-240 seats on the site of the library and old church on High Street.
"The seating will be retractable so this room will also be available for meetings for large groups or for events," said Mr Tynan.
"I am delighted it is smack bang in the middle of the town. This is a fabulous building in the centre of Trim. It will kept the streets alive and everyone can be very proud," said the chairman, Cllr Trevor Golden.
"To say I'm pleased is putting it mildly.
"An awful lot of people lost hope of ever seeing this. It had turned into a rainy day project that was never going to happen, but it is now going to happen," he said.
The library will be housed on the ground floor of the new facility, which will take in the old library and the church with a courtyard and some shared library/ performance spaces.
New library facilities will include a library study space and support area as well as meeting rooms.
There will also be a foyer for the theatre on the ground floor, a box office and toilets.
The main auditorium, with stage and retractable seating, will be on the second floor and will include a balcony with sound desk.
The second floor will also house a library tech room and store room.
Cllr Ronan McKenna described it as a wonderful project
"It is a fitting home for the quality of performance, we provide in Trim," he said.
"I want to acknowledge Derek Tynan's work and that of T-Act and all the local groups that fed into this. 
"The fact the library is so enhanced is something I didn't foresee and I think it is all fitting very nicely."
Cllr McKenna said he was delighted that it was now going to planning and assured everyone that they will be taking the planning process seriously.
"We want submissions from the people of Trim and we will take them very seriously," he said.
Cllr Joe Fox said the architect had done a wonderful job fitting everything into the  space available.
"We have been looking for a community space since I was at school.
"This is finally here, its is tremendous and is what Trim needs."
Cllr Noel French paid tribute to all the local groups who were involved in the campaign for the facility for their contribution to the plans.
"The stakeholders had a huge impact and their ideas were taken on board," he said.
"We have missed the Town Hall in Trim, but this is a Town Hall and a half for the 21st century," he said.
Cllr Enda Flynn said that the new facility would help nurture the creative side of children and he hoped to see that happen and continue into adulthood.
He said a group of 60  students from Trim were going to the RDS in a few weeks time.
"Wouldn't it be great if they were able to go to something similar in Trim," he said.
Cllr Caroline Lynch congratulated everyone involved.
"Because there was so much interaction, the end product is great. I've walked the site and wondered how could anyone do anything with it , but you have used the space very creatively and it will accommodate various uses."
Cllr Lynch said the local schools haven't been able to develop performance skills because of lack of space, but now they can.

"It will also help develop tourism in the town," she said.