An aerial view of the new testing centre at Castle Saunderson.

New Covid test centre being kitted out

The HSE is finalising the fit-out of Castle Saunderson International Scout Centre for use as a COVID-19 testing hub for the county, which is expected to become operational later this month.

The opening date, the HSE confirmed to The Anglo-Celt, is “dependent” on structural and IT works being completed. An official opening date, coinciding with the return of the current centre in Ballinagh to general practice use, will be released closer to the time.

The staff testing complement in Ballinagh will, as a result, relocate to Castle Saunderson where the service will be demand led, with requirements put in place to meet any potential surge in demand at any given time.

It's understood one of several key factors in supporting the HSE's use of the Castle Saunderson International Scout Centre was the option staff could stay on-site overnight if so required.

The new centre will have capacity to test in excess of 300 persons per day, and will continue to be by appointment only.

A HSE spokesperson noted the new test centre near Belturbet will “operate” for as long as government directive remains in place. “COVID-19 test centre will operate for the remainder or COVID-19 national testing programme as advised by government directive, however the current lease agreement is for one year.”

The nine-month lease with an option to extend the contract for three months was agreed between the HSE and Scouting Ireland towards the end of last month. The HSE has also agreed access to the site with Cavan County Council and Coillte.

It's intended to operate a one-way system for test traffic and, already, extensive ground works have been taking place, including the widening of internal roads, as well as paving, signage and footpath enhancements.

Those works, the Council says, have provided “scope” for pedestrian access to be retained throughout the lifetime of the arrangement. They have also requested an appropriate traffic management plan be developed to ensure the safety of all within the Castle Saunderson demesne.

“Without the use of Cavan County Council’s land, a two-way traffic system would be required, which would make it more difficult to accommodate pedestrian access,” explained a spokesperson for the local authority.

Belturbet Independent Councillor Brendan Fay admits the use of the site had surprised many. But he pragmatically weighed the argument of using Castle Saunderson against other locations in the recent past, stating: “We don’t really think about what other communities feel about these testing centres popping up beside them. I think we should acknowledge the people of Ballinagh, Cavan Town and Ballyhaise for facilitating the county Covid testing centre in their communities up until now. I would like to add that I’ve seen first hand the professionalism and kindness the frontline staff on the ground in these test centres have shown in such difficult circumstances and they need to be considered in all of this - they do not get a choice in where they are sent to work and I hope they are shown respect everywhere they are moved to.”

'Lockdown fatigue'

Yet he spoke of “lockdown fatigue” and the reaction locally to the perceived loss of Castle Saunderson as an amenity. “Castle Saunderson is a fantastic amenity and a hidden gem in our county. Those of us who know it well have got used to no traffic there since the Scout centre closed because of the pandemic. These assurances that all relevant bodies have given us that pedestrian access will remain are not satisfactory to everyone and I understand and empathise completely with these people. The level of frustration on the ground during this pandemic is palpable,” says Cllr Fay.

Assessment

Julie McAvinney, speaking on behalf of concerned persons in the community, wants a health and safety impact assessment carried out, and an agreement set in stone that ensures leisure users of the site will not be excluded.

She denied that nimbyism factors into her objection, stating: “Why is it Belturbet that loses them [facilities]? The [army] barracks is gone, a tennis court the council was meant to give back never happened. People are going on down through the years, all these historic things have gone and were never replaced.”

Ms McAvinney contends there are “empty” community centres across the county, in perhaps better suited locations than Castlesaunderson, that could have been used instead as test centres. “The value of green spaces in Ireland is not being respected here. I don't think people realise how many have been left put out by this. This was a safe space, but what's happened now is we've been told, like it or lump it, this is being put here and that's it.”