Work has commenced on one of the largest ever-civic building projects to be undertaken in County Limerick.

The €6m project by ABK architects consists of 1000 square metres of Area Office accommodation and a Regional Library for Limerick County Council.

The project also includes 540 square metres of Court facilities for the Court Services of Ireland.

Welcoming the start of the project, councillor John Gallahue, said: "Kilmallock and surrounding towns and villages have experienced unprecedented growth in recent years.

"It is vital, therefore, that such growth is matched by the expansion and delivery of improved Local Government services."

The project's commencement comes less than six months after Limerick County Council officially opened its newest Area Headquarters at Rathkeale and a state-of-the-art administrative building and office complex at Lissanalta House in Dooradoyle.

-- Advertisement --

The main contractor for the project is Brian McCarthy Contractors Ltd.

The project design team includes ABK Architects, Davis Langdon PKS Quantity Surveyors, Michael Punch & Partners, Consulting Engineers and Homan O'Brien, M&E Consultants.

ABK Architect John Parker said: "The project proposes to form a new civic precinct of public buildings strategically located so as to extend the building line of the main street and reinforce the vista to the site."

"The Library and Office form a long, linear, single-storey building, which connects with the existing Union Workhouse building.

"The Regional Library, which will play an important public and social role within the town consists of a double-height flexible space and is located on the most prominent corner of the site.

"A new linear public space is provided together with over 50 public and staff car parking spaces," added Mr Parker

The new buildings will incorporate principles of sustainable development, including natural ventilation, reduction in heat loss, sustainable and efficient heat generation, extensive use of natural day lighting combined with shading devices, and a central energy centre accommodating a biomass wood pellet boiler and plant facilities.

The project is being part funded by Limerick County Council, the Courts Services of Ireland, and the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government.

Limerick County Council estimates that the project will be delivered by late Autumn 2009.

(PR/JM)