Council asked to buy site for youth, community facility

The derelict site at the bend of the Newbridge road, which is now for sale, could be turned into a suitable space for youth and community use in Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne.

Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer has asked Kildare County Council to buy the site, which has an asking price of €175,000, for such a development. She suggest the funds could come from a recent scheme announced by Minister Heather Humphreys under Town and Village Renewal.

"We need to consider the needs of young people who don't have an interest in sports or other activities," Cllr O'Dwyer told the Diary today, saying that the requirement for a safe space where young people could 'hang out together and chat' has been made clear to her by teenagers themselves, their parents, and the Garda.

Part of the site was formerly a two-storey building divided into four maisonettes, which is currently roofless and derelict.

Acknowledging that the Council would have to assess whether available funding would be enough to buy and restore the site to the needed standard, Cllr O'Dwyer said that it could also be used for other community purposes.

She says the Council is in principle favourably disposed towards the purchase of a building for such community use in Kilcullen. She had previously asked that they buy the former Bank of Ireland building, but that opportunity has now passed. "The timing, and funding availability, didn't work out," she said.

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