Band purchase new building!
March 30th 2009, by brian
DROGHEDA Brass Band are thrilled to announce that they have secured a building in the East Coast Business Park which they say will provide the expansion of their top-class school of music.
Following negotiations with Drogheda Borough Council and Town Clerk Des Foley, the band had originally agreed to purchase a site from the council at Toberboice Lane, Mell. However, with the economic downturn, the band’s committee decided that this plan, which would have left the band with a minimum shortfall of e220,000, was not viable.
Following an extensive search, they secured this new building and with legal work due to commence this week, the band hope to move into the 3,000 sq ft building before the end of the year.
The main rehearsal room for the band will be soundproofed to top class standard following a recent visit of band officers and conductor to the recently-refurbished Garda Band headquarters in Dublin with the band’s architect for the project Declan Walsh.
Mr Walsh gave the committee officers a detailed tour of the building last weekend with his plans which will include room for development on a second floor, allowing continued expansion of the school of music.
‘This new building, and its location, will give us a superb facility,’ band secretary Michael Plunkett commented. ‘With Funtasia, the 24-hour Tesco store, Lidl, Aldi, The Sound Shop and the retail park with Harvey Norman, Argos, KFC and others nearby, there will be easy, free parking for parents and students of the school of music plus a range of extras on our doorstep.’
The band will continue their fundraising efforts over the next few years but with a much-reduced shortfall on the new building over their original plan they hope to leave the organisation debt free as soon as possible.
‘We are grateful to Drogheda Borough Council, and in particular Cllr Paul Bell, who was heavily involved in the negotiations for our original site, and also Town Clerk Des Foley who was very understanding when we informed him of our need to change plans. We are grateful for their understanding and cooperation and hope that the site at Mell can be used by the borough council or another deserving local organisation,’ said Michael.
