The proposals had angered local residents and Councillors as they had thought the centre would remain open while works took place to relocate the town library to the building.
The Excel Centre is a major hub for the community as well as serving as a local district court.
It was set to shut down for 6 months while work is carried out to relocate the town library from Dan Breen House to the centre on Mitchell Street.
This decision was greeted with shock by locals and Councillors alike as it was initially believed that the building would remain open during the construction and there were fears the move would sound the death knell for the Excel putting around 30 jobs at risk.
Tipperary County Council is contributing €500,000 towards the works.
Efforts to have the issue discussed at this weeks meeting of the authority were ruled out of order – with the Cathaoirleach insisting it was a matter for the local municipal district.
1,300 people signed a petition organised by the Excel Action Group calling for the decision to close during the works to be reversed.
A meeting yesterday afternoon attended by council officials, members of the municipal council and council architects has led to a change of plan.
The six month closure of the Excel will not now take place. Instead the 20 week build with vacant possession due to start on April 1st has been extended to a 32 week process with minimum disruption to the normal business of the Excel centre.
However a protest march in Tipp Town at 11.30 next Saturday organised by the Excel Action Group is still likely to go ahead – spokesman Padraig Culbert said all trust in the Council had broken down.
