COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

QUESTION NO.9

QUESTION: Councillor E. Ó Broin

To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the Villages initiative for Clondalkin detailing works and funding agreed to date?

REPLY: 

A number of projects under the Villages Initiative are already completed in Clondalkin, including painting of buildings (2014) and tree-planting of semi-mature trees (2013).   These works were discussed and carried out in conjunction with Clondalkin Tidy Towns. A budget of €2.0m is proposed for the design and construction of the Round Tower Visitor Centre and Public Gardens. This is the largest single allocation proposed under the Villages Initiative Project. These works will commence on site in autumn 2015. No other projects will be proposed for Clondalkin under the Villages Initiative Programme until this flagship scheme is completed.

The Consultant Design Team for the Round Tower Project has now been tendered and consultants appointed. This team is already at work preparing tender documentation for the Visitor Centre project. Upcoming works will include ground investigation testing (bearing capacity) and enabling works to determine the exact nature of conservation works to the Millview Cottages. Both of these investigations will be supervised by the consultant archaeologist as required by Departmental approval. Tender is scheduled to issue in early October 2015 with works commencing November. Construction works should last approximately 12 months. The Centre is targeted to open in late 2016. Expressions of Interest advertisement has already issued in relation to the café / retail franchise associated with the Visitor Centre. Libraries have allocated a staff member to work full-time on researching material and content suitable for exhibition in a variety of formats. The scheme will be promoted when its themes, content and construction are at a more advanced stage.