Construction to begin on Tullamore Arts Centre by autumn
Tullamore’s community arts centre has moved one step closer to breaking ground point, with news that the prequalification process for the project’s construction tender is about to be published. It’s anticipated that a chosen contractor for the project will be in place by this summer, with a view to breaking ground this autumn. Building the community arts centre is expected to take approximately twelve months to complete.
The proposed centre is featured in the 2013 spring edition of A10, the journal for new European architecture. In it the arts centre is highlighted as an important step in Irish architecture, with writer Emmett Scanlon describing it as having 'an openness rarely seen in Irish architecture' and saying that it seems 'like a democratic process, hopeful about the future and town life'.
At a recent AGM of the art centre’s board Cllr Molly Buckley proposed a vote of congratulations to the board for work done to date. That proposal was seconded by Cllr Declan Harvey.
Tullamore Community Arts Centre Ltd has recently achieved charitable status, which will impact favourably on corporate fundraising being developed for the running of the centre. In a recent report to the board chairman Desmond Doyle said time has been spent on drafting and re-drafting a business plan for the operation of the centre. 'Because of the current economic climate we feel that we should not anticipate major subvention from any public body, but to think laterally in terms of how the centre can be supported and resourced,' he said.
Fundraising is still continuing as the community element of the capital needed makes the final push to reach the €200,000 committed to the project. Fundraising projects being developed include a James Bond theme night for ladies in April, pig races, theatre productions and a Guinness Book of Records attempt.
More information on Tullamore Community Arts Centre is available at www.tullamorecommunityartscentre.ie, on Facebook or by emailing info@tullamorecommunityartscentre.ie.