Work continuing on new barracks buildings

TRANSITION Leases temporarily extended while €5M fitout is completed

Work to install new classrooms at the former army barracks in Cavan Town is said to be progressing well.

€5 million is being invested in the modular buildings, which will house students from Cavan Institute. Work is expected to be completed in quarter three of this year.

Students will move from the former St Clare’s Convent in the centre of Cavan Town to the former barracks in the coming months.

Members of the board of CMETB sanctioned an extension of the lease on the St Clare’s property at a meeting last week following a request from Director of Further Education, Linda Pinkster.

The extension, which would be for a period of six months, was described as a “contingency” to allow time to move students in stages to the new accommodation.

Half of the annual rent of €85,000 will be paid.

“We don’t want to be in it any longer than we need to be but at the same time we need to factor in that we can’t move all of our students into the classes in September,” Ms Pinkster said.

Classrooms, practical rooms, a canteen and offices are contained within the new buildings.

Warehouse rental

Separately, an agreement has been reached to rent a premises in the Killygarry Business Park to house the warehouse and logistics course.

An expression of interest was published in recent weeks for property owners to come forward if they had suitable accommodation.

The property, located across the road from the barracks, already contains warehouse space and has the capacity for classrooms and other necessary facilities.

An application has been made by CMETB to the education body Solas for funding to renovate part of the former barracks as a permanent home for the course. In the meantime the Killygarry property will be used.

“You’ll be well aware it’s [the application] going to take some time if approval is forthcoming and thereafter the time for the necessary works. In the meantime we’re keen to get the project up and running.”

The rent of the building will cost €49,000 per year.

The lease of the building was proposed by Seán Fagan and seconded by Martin McBreen.