Ownership of Clane Community Hall to be transferred to Kildare County Council

Ownership of Clane Community Hall, also known locally as Scout Hall, will be transferred over to Kildare County Council (KCC).

The Leinster Leader has been told that the voluntary trustees of the community hall situated at Nancy's Lane, Clane Scout are preparing a transfer of the premises to Kildare County Council.

The trustees said that this is being done to in order to facilitate 'a more sustainable approach to community ownership, maintenance, and investment for continued use.'

The local trustees are Anne Byrne, Bernie Plunkett, Catherine Gallagher, Independent councillor Pádraig McEvoy, and Ted Murray. 

Speaking on their behalf, Anne Byrne told the Leader: "Having given this matter serious consideration over several years, we have now achieved the best option to secure the future of the premises. 

"Renewed investment and sustained maintenance will better serve community activities in the hall."

She continued: "We thank everyone who supported the committee over the last two decades, including former trustees and community leaders. 

"We are confident that KCC will meet the responsibilities of the hall, and we appreciate their commitment to supporting community life in Clane."

According to the trustees, KCC had sought a community gain with the development of Collegewood Manor and other housing estates off the Ballinagappa Road. 

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FURTHER CONTEXT

The trustees explained that Scouts' parents, leaders, and the wider community had previously been fundraising to build a new hall or renovate an old building. 

They also said: "The community gain for the people of Clane places the responsibility of ownership on trustees with a local interest; the condition avoids a future scenario where a hypothetical national organisation might sell the community asset but reinvest the proceeds in another town. 

"While the trustees successfully established the holding company, such companies have operational overhead costs that limit available funds for maintenance and investment.

"Before the pandemic, the trustees engaged with KCC and the hall users on the sustainability of managing the premises."

"A review of options led to an agreement with KCC to own the building to benefit the local community, supporting the existing users and opening it up to others, the trustees concluded.

The 227 square metre facility comprises of a general hall, entrance lobby, toilets, kitchen, and bicycle and car parking areas, with a bounded outdoor space for activities and storage.

It was purpose-built by Springwood Development Limited back in 2005.