Contracts signed for ‘transformational’ Virginia Civic Centre
The integrated civic centre will incorporate a new library, additional theatre space at the Ramor Theatre, and a shared multipurpose civic events space.
Cavan County Council has signed contracts with Demac Construction Ltd for the delivery of the landmark Virginia Civic Centre Project.
Funding of €3,963,525 was secured for the project under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund, through the Department of Rural and Community Development. The total cost of the scheme, an ambitious and transformative town regeneration project in the centre of Virginia Town, will be €5.3 million, with €1.3 million in funding to be provided from Cavan County Council’s own resources.
The integrated civic centre will incorporate a new library, additional theatre space at the Ramor Theatre, and a shared multipurpose civic events space - both indoor and outdoor - to cater to the needs of all services located therein and the broader community.
This includes development of a new three-storey building comprising a community library, meeting rooms and events/exhibition areas which can be used by the library and theatre, along with a tourism information service and a range of other activities. The complex has been designed to provide a high level of multifunctional and flexible space.
The former Parochial House, located adjacent to the theatre, will be transformed to provide a box office and office space along with a digital suite with an interactive tourist information system. Upstairs, this building will be converted into a multi-use space.
The existing theatre will be upgraded and linked to the new box office space and library, through the construction of a shared foyer which will provides access to the Civic Centre and will link the three elements.
A civic space will also open up access to the lakeshore, boating marina, Virginia Show Centre, Virginia College, and the recently redeveloped lakeshore park.
Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr Sarah O’Reilly said the project “will be transformative for Virginia Town and its hinterland”.
“This impressive facility will act as a civic and community hub in this dynamic town and will help drive investment in the town and boost local business. Now that the contracts have been signed, I look forward to seeing the project progress over the coming months.”
Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Tommy Ryan said “This project will leave a lasting legacy for this town and its people. Current and future generations of young and old will reap the benefits of the improved library and theatre facilities, while the civic space and tourism information hub will help drive business and investment in the town”.
“I want to thank all the project partners who assisted Cavan County Council, including our own Cavan County Library Service and Ramor Theatre, as well as the Virginia Show Centre Committee, and Virginia Town Team, added Mr Ryan.
Director of Services for Housing, Libraries, Cultural Services, Human Resources, and Corporate Services Eoin Doyle said, “The Virginia Civic Centre will be an enormous asset for the town and for East Cavan. It will help rejuvenate the Town Centre and is great vote of support for the town. A great deal of work has gone in to bringing the project to this stage, and all those who have contributed their skill, determination, energy, and enthusiasm deserve immense credit. I particularly wish to thank County Librarian Emma Clancy, Ramor Theatre Manager Padraic McIntyre, Catríona O’Reilly Arts Officer, John Wilson, Senior Engineer and their teams. I especially want to acknowledge our Councillors and Oireachtas members past and present, all of whom have been tremendous advocates for the Civic Centre project”.