Garda barracks project due to be completed next week
A massive €7 million refurbishment of Athlone Garda Station will be completed by Friday, November 19, a local Fine Gael Minister has confirmed.
Minister Peter Burke and local Cllr John Dolan have both welcomed the imminent conclusion of refurbishment project at the Pearse Street barracks.
While this is a long-awaited refurbishment, it will be welcomed by local Gardaí who require a modern station and work environment, Minister Burke said.
“I know this significant refurbishment has been in the pipeline for a long period, after former Minister Flanagan confirmed the contract for the refurbishment of Athlone Garda Station was awarded in Q2 2018.
"The project includes the significant refurbishment, extension and alteration of the existing An Garda Siochána Station to include the adjacent former Government Buildings," Minister Burke added.
"The total spent to date including enabling works, main contractor and associated site costs amounts to €7.342m and the project is due for completion in the coming week, November 19th," the Minister continued.
He said this is significant government funding into the town, and Minister Burke commended his colleagues Minister Helen McEntee and Minister Patrick O’Donovan for liaising with local representatives on the refurbishment and ensuring delivery as soon as possible.
Cllr John Dolan added that the new building and revamp will be better suited to the needs of members of the force locally.
“I know the Garda Station needed a revamp and improvements to make it an appropriate and modern work environment. While it was due for completion this week, a short week long delay can be borne due to the scale of the project.
"It is also welcome to see the former Social Protection Office being brought into use, and it will be space well used for district policing, training and the variety of operations that are undertaken here in Athlone.
"All three phases of development will soon be complete and the new station will be a great addition for the town of Athlone for years to come,” Cllr Dolan ended.