Questions raised over council’s theatre proposal

KILLARNEY Town Council manager Tom Curran has expressed “grave reservations” about the council supporting a proposal for a theatre cum arts centre for the town.

The council’s arts committee is preparing an application for 70% funding to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, but has not yet costed the proposal even though the application must be submitted before November 17.

Mr Curran said the council was being asked to support something without having any indication of its financial obligations to the project.

“I cannot support this proposal as you’re effectively asking the council to support a pig in a poke,” he told a meeting on Monday night.

“We’ve no costings. I don’t know if this project would cost millions. Also, as a council, we’ve no expertise in running a theatre. I would strongly advise against this project. I can’t say to anybody it will not be a burden on the council.”

The proposal by the arts committee is to refurbish Arás Phadraig, which is owned by the Franciscan Order.

The arts committee has met Arts Minister John O’Donoghue, who has already secured funding for several arts centres in Kerry, and he has indicated his “enthusiasm and support” for the Killarney project, according to the committee’s report to the council.

However, 30% of the cost of such a centre would have to be provided by the town council, which is currently building a €16 million sports/leisure centre in Killarney.

The council would have to give a written guarantee to fund the refurbishment project and ongoing costs.

The council agreed to give such undertakings in support of the application, but it does not have to give binding guarantees until its get an offer of a grant from the department.

Fianna Fáil councillor Brian O’Leary said groups in Killarney had been seeking a theatre cum arts centre for a long time and there was an opportunity to provide a facility.

He said the Franciscan Order was willing to “divest itself” of Arás Phadraig, which could be refurbished.

South Kerry Independent Alliance councillor Michael Gleeson also welcomed the proposal, commenting that, while Killarney was surrounded by exquisite beauty, it also needed human facilities.