Plans to be lodged for Garda Station revamp

The long-awaited multi-million euro refurbishment and extension of Athlone Garda Station looks set to move a step closer to reality in the coming weeks, with a planning application expected to be lodged with the local authority early next month, the Westmeath Independent has learned. The Office of Public Works has confirmed that its expects to lodge the plans with Athlone Town Council at the beginning of April. Under the plans, the current station will be refurbished and adapted with all the modern garda facilities extending into the former Social Welfare offices next door, which would include a new entrance and a service core in between both premises. A number of gardai are already based in part of the old Social Welfare office in a bid to improve the cramped situation in the barracks proper on a temporary basis. A detailed architectural design for the work is nearing completion according to the OPW, with a view to beginning the tender process for the station revamp work as soon as practicable afterwards. Although the Government department could not give costings or a timeline for work to begin on the project, it's understood that high-ranking local gardai will be briefed on the exact details of the next phase of the project by the Office of Public Works at a meeting next week. Last year, Supt Aidan Glacken of Athlone Garda Station confirmed that money would be available for the project, including works to be carried out in the Garda station itself and that these works would be carried out in tandem with the works at the adjacent Social Welfare building to allow for a total package.