Joint statement on Excel Library project

Tipperary County Council and the board of the Excel have moved to allay any outstanding concerns over the transfer of the town library to the building.

Several weeks ago – staff and users of the Excel alike were left shell shocked to discover it would have to be closed down temporarily while construction works to move the Tipp Town Library to the centre were taking place – this put over 30 jobs at risk and would have had a negative impact on the town.

However several days later there was a u turn – and it was announced that the building would indeed remain open as was the original plan..

But it still left staff with answers about what kind of disruption they would be facing ..

Now in a joint statement from the Board of the Tipperary Excel Arts Centre and Tipp County Council they confirm it will remain open during the relocation process- It goes on to state that the work will begin in April and while inevitability there will be disruption, “plans are in place to ensure early and continuous engagement throughout the project between the contractor and principal stakeholders of the building in order to keep such disruptions to a minimum” 

The Chairperson of the Excel Kerry Ryan also stated that at no stage did the board suggest or agree to a vacant possession – and the addition of the library will help to secure the arts centre future.

For his part  Tipperary County Council Chief Executive  pay tribute to the Excel Board who he says  in a relatively short space of time, has managed to stabilize the finances of the Centre adding he is  “satisfied that the decision to accommodate the Library in the Excel Centre will help to ensure its long term viability