The Saggart Schoolhouse Community Centre was officially opened by the Mayor, Councillor Alan Edge on Thursday 30th May, following the completion of major capital upgrade works, transforming the former old St Mary’s National School into a multi-purpose community centre, to help provide for the social and recreational needs of the local community in the growing Saggart Village area. The old St Mary’s National School, a historically significant and much cherished local building, built in the 1940’s, served as the village primary school up until 2014, when the new St Mary’s National School was constructed and opened on the grounds behind the local Church.
Following a series of consultations with local residents and key stakeholders, the old St Mary’s National School site was purchased by the Council in 2018, a local voluntary management committee was formed, and plans commenced to develop the old school property into a multi-purpose community centre for the area. The schoolhouse building with the four former classrooms were conserved and transformed into three multi-activity rooms and fourth designed to accommodate childcare provision, a new extension constructed to accommodate a multi-purpose hall, reception area, toilets, kitchen and community café area.
The delivery of the Saggart Schoolhouse Community Centre represents a capital investment in the region of €3 million, with funding allocated from the Council’s Capital Programme Budget and funding of €500,000 secured to support the project from the Leader Programme administered by Rural Dublin Leader.
Speaking at the Official Opening the Mayor stated, ‘that he was absolutely delighted to officiate at the Schoolhouse Official Opening, in what is a hugely special day for the village of Saggart.’ The Mayor acknowledged both the passion and dedication of the local community reps and the commitment of South Dublin County Council, working together with local communities, to deliver key community facilities to assist in meeting local community needs and was again evidence of the Council’s aim of building Sustainable Communities across the County.
Amanda Crone, Chairperson of the Saggart Schoolhouse Community Centre, Board of Management, stated that ‘Today marks a truly momentous day, when the community of Saggart get their very own Schoolhouse Community Centre, that is the culmination of many years of hard work, dedication and commitment.’
Amanda went on to sincerely thank the local community, the Council and Rural Dublin Leader for believing in and working tirelessly to deliver the new Schoolhouse project, despite external and unimaginable external factors such as Brexit and the Covid 19 Pandemic, bringing a range of challenges to get the project to the completion stage.
Amanda also stated, ‘As a Board our hope is that the Schoolhouse will bring people together by offering a central hub for our community to congregate. The centre will provide the opportunity for this generation and future generations, to create a new set of memories and build on the many special memories from the school days on this site. Whether you’d like to meet new people, catch up with old friends, or simply explore, our plan is there will be something for everyone.’
Pic credit: Ben Ryan
