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A PROPOSED arts centre at the Killarney Cultural Centre on East Avenue Road has divided opinion in town.

Kerry County Council unveiled plans for an arts centre that considers not just the building space but the complete area surrounding it. “The aim is to make the new arts centre a flexible and adaptable space both internally and in particular outside. We proposed to re-design the front façade, with a metal structure with black mirror cladding which reflects the trees at the back of the auditorium area,” stated the council.

Others works to the building will include alterations to the existing internal layout and re-roofing the building.

The outdoor area will be covered with a retractable canopy and will be a flexible area that will seat an audience which can view a show on the internal stage or an external stage.

But some believe such a plan should not be carried out until the Aras Phádraig site is completed. “In my opinion we should not go next or near the Cultural Centre until the Aras Phádraig site is done,” said Cllr Donal Grady. “The money should be ploughed into the Aras Phádraig.”

Once the public consultation phase has concluded and the planning process is complete, it is hoped that construction work would commence by June of next year.