Pictured at the contract signing for the construction of a new fire station in Loughrea, left to right, Minister of State Seán Canney, TD; Cathaoirleach of Loughrea MD, Cllr Geraldine Donohue; Liam Conneally, Chief Executive, Galway County Council; Cathaoirleach Cllr. Andrew Reddington; Michael Burns, Burns Construction & Civil Engineering Ltd.; Director of Services Uinsinn Finn; Brian Cassidy, Quantity Surveyor. Back left to right, Cllr Ivan Canning; Brian Fahy, Senior Architect; Cllr Michael Regan; Cllr Declan Kelly; Cllr Moegie Maher; Gary Keane, QS Burns Construction; Michelle Hennelly, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer; Michael Ward, Loughrea Fire Station Officer; Maurice Headd, Galway Fire. Photograph: Murtography.
A €3.4m contract has been signed for the construction of a new fire station in Loughrea.
Work is expected to commence in the coming weeks after Galway County Council signed a contract with Burns Construction & Civil Engineering Ltd. The single-storey station on the Athenry Road will replace the town’s existing fire station, which is more than 50 years old. Construction is expected to take around 15 months.
Included in the new facility will be a two-bay appliance hall, training and lecture rooms, a workshop, welfare facilities, specialist equipment storage, a drill yard and a training tower. It has also been designed to achieve an A energy rating through the use of an air source heat pump, high levels of insulation and other energy-efficient measures.
The contract was signed at Áras an Chontae in the presence of Minister of State at the Department of Transport Seán Canney (IND), Galway County Council officials, project designer Brian Fahy, contractor Michael Burns, representatives of Vincent Hannon Architects, and members of Loughrea Municipal District, including Councillors Moegie Maher, Geraldine Donohue, Michael Regan, Ivan Canning and Declan Kelly.
Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr Andrew Reddington (FG), said the new station would be “an important asset for Loughrea town and the wider area it will serve”. He said it would work alongside neighbouring fire stations “in providing an effective fire and emergency response for the people of Loughrea and County Galway”.
Cllr Moegie Maher (FG) paid tribute to all parties involved in bringing the project through to construction stage. He also said the future use of the existing fire station site should now be considered. “As the site is centrally located in the town, any future development should provide appropriate infrastructure and facilities serving local people, businesses and services”.
Cathaoirleach of Loughrea MD, Cllr Geraldine Donohue (IND), said the shortcomings of the existing station had been evident for many years. She acknowledged the efforts of current and former councillors who had campaigned for a replacement station and said their work had helped bring the project to this stage.
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, welcomed the €3.4 million investment and thanked Minister Seán Canney for his support, as well as Council staff, including Galway County Fire and Rescue Service, and the elected members for their work in bringing the project to fruition. “The new fire station is a major investment in Loughrea and will provide a modern facility that is urgently needed. The project is positive news for the town and the wider community. It reflects the significant collaboration between elected members, Council officials and all those involved in advancing the development”.
Director of Services Uinsinn Finn described the contract signing as an important day for Loughrea and thanked the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management for funding the project. He acknowledged the extensive work undertaken to reach this stage, including what he described as difficult and, at times, contentious discussions during the Part 8 planning process around 18 months ago. Finn acknowledged the central role played by senior Fire Service personnel, particularly Paul Duffy.
Chief Fire Officer Gerry O’Malley said the existing fire station was more than 50 years old and no longer met modern operational requirements. “The new facility will provide significantly enhanced welfare and training facilities for the fire crews, while also addressing the health and safety concerns associated with the present station”. He also highlighted the collaboration required to bring the project to construction stage, thanking Council officials, Fire Service colleagues, elected members and everyone involved in progressing the development.
