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TRALEE Chamber Alliance has expressed concerns about reports that the Island of Geese site is being considered as a location of the new Courthouse.
It emerged yesterday that Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan favoured the site and discussions had already taken place with the Courts Service about the matter.
Tralee Chamber Alliance issued a statement this morning which reads: “Following reports in the local media and from sources within the Courts Service, Tralee Chamber Alliance is concerned that democracy has been by-passed in relation to plans to build a new courthouse on the former Denny site at the Island of Geese in Tralee. Tralee Chamber Alliance is calling for full disclosure in relation to the consultation process that has led to this conclusion.
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Tralee Chamber Alliance maintains the view that court services should remain in the town centre. However, the double impact of the potential abandonment of the historic Ashe Street location, and the allocation of a site within the Island of Geese, without plans for either location, is very worrying.
We will be engaging with the elected members of Tralee Municipal District to seek clarity on the matter.”
A public consultation process on how the old Denny site will be utilised has already taken place. However, a masterplan has yet to be presented to the Council recommending the how the site will be used and the Council will have the final say on the matter.
I do understand Tralee Chamber Alliance concerns on this.
But, if a new courthouse is being built at the Island of Geese, surely the old historical courthouse should be given in lieu as the location for the planned arts centre or whatever social venue the people have chosen which would have been built at the old Denny site – So, the old historical courthouse would become the new arts centre or so on.
I feel there is a win-win situation in there if the right people have the foresight.
After all, something like an arts centre in a historic building would naturally have more character than a new build and a new courthouse next to the Tralee Garda station would be to the benefit of the town too.
But, Tralee Chamber Alliance are totally correct to have their concerns. Because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to shape Tralee town centre for decades to come – so we have to get it right.
The people of Tralee should have the final say on this matter not the bureaucrats.