Frustration at 'Teach' project delay
Despite the fact that the organisers have signed their part of the lease for the old Dispensary with the HSE, and have taken out insurance on the property as required under the agreement, they haven't been able to get in and get the project going.
"There were some issues with how the lease was signed, but we completed our part of things in early September," says Albert Keenan, one of those who initiated the idea of developing a community space where people could drop in for a chat and a cup of tea, especially those of older years. "Then we were told that some documents had gotten lost, and that was delaying things. At this stage it's very frustrating for us, especially since we're paying the insurance now as requested. We've even discussed looking for alternative premises, but we have taken this so far now, and it is the ideal place for the centre."
The project group has received offers of money, help and equipment — including a piano — to turn the property into the kind of centre envisaged. "But until we can enter the property, and work on it, we can't accept those."
Deputy Martin Heydon, another member of the group, said he shared the frustration of the others. This morning he told the Diary that the HSE has told him there's another lease ready to sign and he hopes that everything will be sorted soon.
