Westmeath County Council has been successful in securing €7.6M in Rural Regeneration and Development Funding to deliver the Kinnegad Regeneration Project. This project is funded under Project Ireland 2040.
Westmeath County Council working in partnership with the Longford Westmeath Education & Training Board (LWETB) and local voluntary and community groups has developed an ambitious and realistic strategic plan for the town of Kinnegad that is premised on strengthening the town's local economy and community.
This is a multi-faceted regeneration project for the core area of Kinnegad, including a Community Library, Education and Training Centre and Town Park and Community Facilities.
The provision of a Community Library, Education and Training Centre will provide a focal point for the educational, cultural and community development of the town and its hinterland. This coupled with the development of the Town Park and community facilities in the heart of the town will ensure the development of a dynamic and vibrant community with a sense of place.
The Regeneration Team in Westmeath County Council is working with Cooney Architecture Ltd & Keys and Monaghan Architects Joint Venture, a multi-disciplinary consultancy to deliver this distinct element of the Project. Part 8 Planning was granted in December 2021, detailed design is on-going, the procurement of a Works Contractor will commence in Q3 2021.
The collaboration with the LWETB, and expertise provided by our architects, has resulted in a Nearly Zero Energy Building Standard (NZEB) design which restores and adapts the former National School (Protected Structure) into a Community Library, Education and Training Centre.
The complementary uses of a library and an education and training centre will be enhanced by the flexibility of the design, which ensures that the spaces created in the library can be used as community facilities, for a wide range of purposes, such as meeting rooms, small studio classes, exhibitions etc. A high-quality public realm will enrich the outdoor spaces and amenities available to the community, facilitating informal recreation and activities for young and old alike.
The second strand of this project is the delivery of a multi-purpose Town Park and Community Facilities with universal access on the recently acquired lands adjacent to the public library. The Regeneration Team in Westmeath County Council will be attending a Community Forum meeting in the coming weeks to discuss the needs and aspirations of the community.
The provision of a purpose-built town park is to cater for the recreational and amenity needs of the local community. The park itself will provide a variety of outdoor spaces including play area, walking tracks, rest areas, outdoor exercise and sensory equipment, landscaping and enhanced biodiversity. The park will be designed to ensure universal access to meet the needs of everyone and will provide green links to the centre of Kinnegad, improving connectivity.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is required to ensure the cohesive delivery of the final project that is designed to:
• Address the unsustainable social deficit of socio-economic facilities required to serve the community with the delivery of a modern Open Library facility and Education and Training facility including the delivery multi-functional spaces to serve the needs of community groups displaced due to the closure of the original premises in 2017.
• Delivery of a bespoke Town Park with community facilities to meet the needs for the wider community, young and old.
• Enhance the town environment through positive placemaking and public realm interventions to assist in the socio-economic development of the area.
• Restore a sense of identity and civic pride to Kinnegad and regain the attractiveness of Kinnegad as place to visit, work, study and live.
Quote from The Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Ken Glynn.
“I welcome this significant milestone for the Kinnegad Regeneration Project and look forward to further progress of this important rural regeneration project in Co Westmeath.”
Further information on the Kinnegad Regeneration Project can be found at Regeneration
The Regeneration Team can be contacted at
Regeneration Project Team,
Westmeath County Council,
Áras an Chontae,
Mullingar,
Co. Westmeath. N91 FH4N
Tel. 044-9332000
Email: regen@westmeathcoco.ie
Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 19/04/2021
