Design work for revamp of former RTC building to begin

TUS has confirmed that design work for the renewal of the former RTC campus on Athlone's Northgate Street is due to begin this autumn.

Works on- site to make it more safe and secure have been undertaken in recent months following numerous reports of anti-social behaviour and night-time activity in the buildings. A fire in the grounds last month damaged a single-storey building to the rear of the premises.

The prominent former RTC site, which was once home to the art and design department, and some years prior to that was the old Tech school building, has fallen into major disrepair in recent years.

Following a recent query from the Westmeath Independent about the increased activity on-site in recent times, a spokesperson for Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest (TUS) outlined some of the ongoing works to make it more secure and safe since the beginning of the year. These include an internal clean-up of the building in January, the removal of asbestos from the building during the summer and enabling works to bring a new electricity supply to the site, adjacent to St Mary's Hall and the Greenway.

Prefabs on-site have been demolished this month and a external clean up of the extensive site, with the removal of overgrowth has taken place.

Ongoing are the installation of security alarms, lighting and other systems to secure the main building, according to TUS.

A feasibility study and plans were previously drawn up to repurpose the landmark site into a digital co-working enterprise hub, with the assistance of funding from Chamber of Commerce and the Just Transition Fund.

Earlier this summer the council said in response to a question from Cllr Frankie Keena, that they are "working with TUS to progress the regeneration of this site and it is expected that a Design Team to prepare the documentation required to secure planning permission will be appointed in the near future".

TUS repeated again that the long-term plan for the premises is for the renewal of the site and buildings in partnership with Westmeath County Council as a digital hub and co-working centre. Design work for the renewal (of the premises) is due to commence this autumn, the spokesperson added.

It's hoped that the long-term plan for the site and buildings could avail of Just Transition funding to carry out the capital work needed to bring it to life again as a digital and co-working hub in the future.