Letter to Councillors - February 2008

Letter sent to all Offaly County Councillors in February 2008

Offaly Community Arts Centre Initiative (O.C.A.C.I) was formed in 2000 as an umbrella group incorporating mainly, Tullamore based Arts groups and individuals. The main focus of O.C.A.C.I. is to lobby for the provision of an Arts Centre in Tullamore, that would provide the people of Offaly access to visual and performing arts.

From 2000 to 2002  O.C.A.C.I. met on many occasions, and have had a number of meetings with County Council Officials culminating with a submission to the arts study carried out by Susan Coughlan and associates on behalf of Offaly County Council. The O.C.A.C.I. submission included a survey of 150 people of which 146 said “yes” to the question: “Do you think Tullamore needs a performing arts centre/theatre?”

A number of locations for a proposed Arts Centre have been considered over the years. The preferred option to date appears to be the existing Library building in O’Connor Square. However, some doubt has been expressed recently as to the size and site restrictions, to house both a new Library and Arts building. Indeed, it is worth noting that the recent Arts Plan 2007-2011 published by Offaly County Council makes no  mention of any specific location for an Arts Centre for Tullamore under the heading An Arts Space in Tullamore. However, the plan does state the following: “A dedicated arts building in the county town needs to be designated and operated in a fashion that is a clear expression of the commitment to make high quality arts experiences accessible to the citizens of Offaly.”

The County Council, in late 2006 applied for grant aid under the Department of Arts, Sport, and Tourism, ACCESS 2 Government Scheme. This was successful, and in April 2007 €2million was allocated for a Tullamore Library and Arts Centre.   

One of the main conditions of ACCESS 2 funding is that projects must be completed before the end of 2009 to qualify for the approved grant aid. It is unclear what proportion is for Library facilities, and what proportion is for Arts Centre facilities. Should the two be housed in separate buildings, then this would need to be clarified. It is also unclear if previously approved grant aid for a new Library facility is still available.

Within the last few weeks a new proposal has been presented to O.C.A.C.I.. This is the first specific Arts Centre proposal that our group has seen. This new proposal is based around the Heritage Centre and adjacent buildings. The performing Arts element of the project would include theatre space (approximately 300 seats), rehearsal space, dressing rooms etc., as well as visual arts space and upgrading part of the Heritage Centre. This proposed project - which is a separate development from the new Town Centre (old Tesco/Texas site) project, is being promoted by a local development company and will be subject to legal and planning issues. It will also require commitment from Offaly County and Tullamore Town Councils. Discussions have already taken place between agents for the developers and the various stakeholders of adjoining property.

O.C.A.C.I.  thank you for your work as a Councillor to date, in promoting Tullamore for an Arts Centre. This we believe, is now a crucial time for this project – wherever it is to be located. The time limit on the €2m grant means projects are to be completed before the end of 2009. Nine months have already elapsed since the grant  announcement, this leaves no time to waste. Therefore we are asking you to bring the Tullamore Arts Centre to the top of your agenda and raise the matter at the February Council meeting as a priority.

Yours Sincerely,

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Fionnuala Corrigan
Chairperson