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Proposals invited for Killybegs playground
Architects from around the country and abroad have been invited to submit proposals for a new playground for Killybegs, in an approach to playground planning that combines elements of play and public art, as well as consultation with local children
A report in the Donegal Democrat has stated the competition is set to open in September and the winning architect and idea will be presented to the county council in March 2011. The Play Space, as the project is called, is expected to open to the public in August of 2011.
Donegal County Council, in partnership with Killybegs Playground Committee, The Irish Architecture Foundation and the RIAI are involved in the project which is the first of its kind in the country said independent Cllr Thomas Pringle, chairperson of Killybegs Playground Committee.
"We've been trying to get a playground since 1999," Cllr Pringle said. The project was ready to go to tender about 18 months ago, but at about that time the economic downturn was leading to the collapse of the development contribution scheme, which had been used to fund playgrounds. It was in speaking with Terre Duffy, public art manager with Donegal County Council, Cllr Pringle said, that they came up with the idea of looking at the playground as a public art project as well as a special play space.
Architects who are shortlisted for the project will be expected to consult with local children and schools before preparing their final design. The people who understand best what children need to play are children, Ms. Duffy said.
Cllr Pringle said the architecture organisations were excited about the project. He said they suggested that this process could become a standard for the way playgrounds are delivered in the country.
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