This article is from page 28 of the 2007-11-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 28 JPG
LISDOON VARNA is set to benefit significantly as a result of a four- pronged development which will cost up to €3 million.
The major plans will see the development of a 300-seater thea- tre, a new community creche, play- eround and sports pitch complete with running track.
All of the projects are being run in tandem and will be located close together, along the site of the old
town hall in the town. The plans for the theatre were spun into action some years ago when former Clare TD Sile de Valera secured more than €1 million towards the project. The project is expected to be completed early in 2008. The existing town hall will be renovated and the state- of-the-art theatre is expected to be opened next April.
“All projects are being done together and will be a huge benefit to the local community,’ said Marian O’Callaghan, who is a director of
Lisdoonvarna Failte, which owns the property on which the development will take place. The old town hall goes all the way back to Victorian mb en teh
“We are kitting it out as a fully equipped theatre. Along with the main theatre, there will be a suit- able place for conferences,” said Ms O’Callaghan.
“It will be a good asset for touring groups around Clare. We will talk to all groups so that it is a benefit not just to Lisdoonvarna, but north Clare
as such,’ she added. While Govern- ment funding will pay much of the costs, there will also be a need for lo- cal fundraising and Ms O’Callaghan is encouraging people to dig deep and help out.
“We hope to raise €120,000 over- all and now there is the chance to do it,” she said.
The organising committee has decided to organise a few major fundraisers, one of which will be a race night at the Ritz hotel on Satur- day, December 29.