It's one of the 24 projects to benefit from a €4.5 million package.
A former school in the midlands is among the derelict buildings set to be re-purposed for community use.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has announced a €4.5 million package, which will benefit 24 projects around the country.
Included in those are plans to convert a former national school in Ballyroan into a multi-purpose community venue.
The former Recks Buiding in Clara, which was last used as retail outlets and flats, will be developed into a similar space as the site in Ballyroan.
Among the other projects around the country are plans to convert a former Garda Barracks, parish hall and a Credit Union.
Minister Humphreys said:
"This initiative is all about giving our local communities the tools to address the challenges of vacancy and dereliction in their towns and villages.
Through this funding, we are taking those run-down buildings and turning into facilities that will benefit communities for generations to come.
By doing so, we will help to drive footfall into our town centres, increase tourism and, above all, make our rural towns and villages even better places to live, work, invest, visit and raise a family."
Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, and Offaly Green Party Senator Pippa Hackett, says:
"This purchase shows the Government commitment to Town Centre First planning, and rewards hard work by the town centre team, who make it all look easy and I know it isn’t!
They show dedication over a long time and credit to them, the wider community and the TCF officer in the Council who works with them."
Laois Offaly Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen says:
"I am seeking more detail on the specific use and services to be provided by this community space once it is up and running.
There has been and continues to be enormous work done in Clara on regeneration and redevelopment and Cllr. Frank Moran and the local team in the town deserve congratulations for their efforts. "
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