Extension for Crookstown Cemetery also being Explored
Fine Gael Kildare South TD, Martin Heydon, has today (Friday) confirmed that he has been progressing plans to secure alternative community uses for the old school buildings and site at Crookstown.
“Now that the wonderful new school is in use I have been liaising with Parish Priest Fr. Frank McEvoy to find a positive use for the former school buildings and site. The building is still in very good condition and could provide many services to our growing community.
“I was delighted to recently have the CEO of the Kildare Wicklow Education & Training Board (KWETB) (formally VEC) Sean Ashe out to view the site and meet Fr. McEvoy with a view to developing a plan for the site and buildings.
“We are discussing the possibility of establishing a community education facility with a centre for apprenticeships& traineeships. The community education facility would run classes in many areas of common interest to members of the community. This would be a hugely positive development for the area and help to keep in positive use and good condition a key building in the heart of our community.
“This was also an opportune time to consider the future of Crookstown cemetery and seek additional space. In conjunction with Cllr Ivan Keatley we have had a very positive meeting with officials from the Environment section of Kildare County Council and Fr McEvoy. We are now working together with Fr. McEvoy and KCC to progress with the Council the option of acquiring the former playing fields at the back of the old school to facilitate an extension to Crookstown Graveyard.
“In conjunction with Cllr Ivan Keatley I am also exploring the possibility with the ETB of finding some space on the site for the Crookstown scouts.
“I welcome the progress on all matters in this area and look forward to working with KWETB and Fr. McEvoy and the parish council to progress this community based project next year and also confirm details of a cemetery extension in the near future.