*The One Shannon Hub is a key aspect of the Shannon Town Centre Masterplan.
A PLANNING APPLICATION is due to be lodged in April for the One Shannon Hub while a philanthropic donation that had been earmarked for the building dubbed as “an icon” for Shannon is at risk of falling through.
Heralded as a key pillar of the Shannon Town Centre Masterplan, the One Shannon Hub will be a multi-functional civic, community and performance building. It is proposed to create a new building and public realm improvements which will combine the Town Hall and a library, a performing arts venue (Estuary Hall) and a flexible innovation space ‘Greenhouse’.
This three in one approach aims to merge community, cultural and civic uses with Clare County Council offices in Shannon to relocate from the Town Hall in Tullyglass to the centre of the town. The flexible ‘greenhouse’ will be for a variety of uses that include coworking, education and training, facilities for local businesses, exhibitions, meeting rooms and conference opportunities.
Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling and the recently appointed as the town regeneration officer for the Council have met with Shannon Chamber and the CEOs of some companies within Shannon to update them on the progress and the site acquired from the the Directors of the Shannon Venue Ltd in August.
An application under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) will be made by the Council to the Department of Rural and Community Development for the Hub but even if this is successful, a quarter of the costs will have to be provided by the local authority.
Director of Economic Development with Clare County Council, Liam Conneally cautioned at the latest sitting of the Shannon Municipal District that there donation they had expected to receive to assist with the development may not arrive at all.
He stated, “We did indicate previously that we’re in discussions on possible philanthropic funding to make up a portion of that funding, the fact we’re waiting a little longer than we have to through procurement and other rules puts a little risk on that philanthropic piece more than it should. With the changing economic climate people are becoming more reticent on where they put their funding”.
Putting a timeline on the One Shannon Hub needs to be done, the Director acknowledged. He outlined that a planning application will be lodged in April.
In response to a query on procurement from Cathaoirleach of the Shannon MD, Cllr Michael Begley (IND), Conneally said “a preferred contractor has been identified”.
