Design team sought for €5m Edenderry library and arts centre plan

Offaly County Council is seeking to employ a design team to push ahead with plans for a new community library and arts base in Edenderry.

The council is currently inviting tenders for an architect-led project management design team to prepare a detailed design for the ambitious project.

The project is to include a modern purpose-built community library and arts base, covering approximately 2,000 square metres.

It is to be located on the old Tesco site, of 0.421 hectares at 33-34, JKL Street, in the town centre of Edenderry.

Offaly County Council proposes to demolish existing derelict buildings and create a brownfield site.

The project, which is estimated to cost over €5m, is earmarked for completion by summer 2022, subject to funding.

The community library is to include accessible spaces for all age profiles, meeting rooms, eLearning and research facilities and My Open Library services.

The building will also include an arts base, a gallery/performance and workshop space, at least four artists studios and secure outdoor programme areas.

The four areas, the library, arts base, studios and outdoor areas, are envisaged as distinct but connecting areas with separate dedicated entrances. The successful architect-led team is to take cognisance of a masterplan, to be completed shortly, on land including the proposed site, surrounding backland areas and the construction of a new link street, between Fairgreen and Granary Court Road. There should also be a pedestrian and cycle linkage around the new building between JKL Street and Blundell Park.

Aside from the basic public desk and traditional library space, the community library is expected to include facilities such as self-service hub, a reference and silent study area, a leisure reading and wellbeing zone, a children's library, community meeting spaces, a teen library, a study area and PC and wifi use area, a Maker Space for STEAM programming and VR and robotics equipment and digital training/eLearning suites.

The Arts Base space includes a reception kiosk, a gallery/performance space, capable of seating a minimum of 150 and a workshop space.

There are also plans for public and staff bathrooms and facilities, kitchen/canteen areas and shower and changing area for performers.

The closing date for tenders is 12noon on March 9.