First glimpse of planned Ferbane convent redevelopment

Design images showing the planned redevelopment of the former St Joseph's Convent in Ferbane have gone on public display for the first time.

Yesterday (Wednesday) evening, Offaly County Council, in partnership with the Ferbane community group An Síolán, hosted a well-attended public information event in Gallen Community School in order to give people a chance to view the proposed designs for the convent and ancillary buildings.

St Hilda's Services and the Laois Offaly Education Training Board (LOETB) are expected to become anchor tenants of the facility, which will also include multi-purpose community space.

The designs were prepared by an architect led multi-disciplinary design team, Kenny Lyons Associates, in order to showcase the site's potential as a community, enterprise and learning hub.

The plans for the overall site also included an urban garden, a multifunctional sports ground and a riverbank walk along the River Brosna.

Brian Flynn of the An Síolán group said there was good engagement from the public with the planned designs. "There was a positive reaction to the plans from those in attendance," he said.

The design team is currently preparing a cost plan for the current design option that was on display at yesterday's information event. Following a review of the cost plan, the project will progress to final design and a Part 8 planning application.

"It's important to allow the community to be involved in the design process as much as possible, and it was great to see such an interest in the event," said Olwen Cummins, Town Regeneration Officer with Offaly County Council.

"This project would not be possible without the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF) from the Department of Rural and Community Development.

"This convent refurbishment is an example of the type of project which RRDF supports, as it addresses a community need for multipurpose space while tackling vacancy and will have an impact on sustainable economic and social development in Ferbane into the future."