Work to commence at Dundalk Library on VARCITIES Research project

Work is set to commence on the open space at the Dundalk Library and museum quarter at Roden Place in Dundalk, through the VARCITIES Research Project, Louth councillors were told at the Louth County Council October meeting last Monday.

Cllr Robert Nash raised the matter at the meeting, asking when the work would begin and enquiring as to how anti-social behaviour taking place at the back of the library would be dealt with.

Director of Services, Organisational Development, Mr Joe McGuinness, told the meeting that a contractor has been appointed and that work would be starting this week on the project.

Mr McGuinness added that the matter of anti-social behaviour was considered during the Part 8 planning process in consultation with An Garda Síochána, but added that they would still monitor the area.

The VARCITIES Research Project will see the open space at the Dundalk library and museum quarter at Roden Place in Dundalk is to receive an upgrade that will see an outdoor learning pod, urban green learning and sensory garden and an upgraded bicycle station created.

VARCITIES is a project funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme. Dundalk is one of eight European municipalities chosen as the Pilot Cities of the project. One of the aims of the project is to implement integrated and sustainable initiatives that increase the health and well-being of citizens, supporting both municipal actions and local SMEs in meeting credible opportunities to grow and generate revenues. 

Three developments are planned for the open space. The first is the creation of an outdoor learning pod that will be weather proofed area for outdoor learning. The second is the creation of an urban green learning and sensory garden. The third will be improvements in the bike station that is already in the open space.