Brand new fire station on the way for Electric Picnic Laois town

A Laois town is to get a brand new fire station, with long awaited Goverment funding approved this week.

The Electric Picnic town of Stradbally has a fire station that is described by Laois County Fire & Rescue Serve CFO Declan Power as one of the busiest in Laois, but is “no longer fit for purpose”.

Built in 1954, it responds to over 100 calls a year, but has little parking and “inadequate welfare facilities” for its firecrews.

Laois County Council CEO John Mulholland announced the “positive news” at the November council meeting, that they have received “approval in principal” for construction from the Government department.

Director Simon Walton confirmed what comes next to get the station built.

“We are now required to submit a design brief to the department, we will do that before Christmas. The procurement of a design team will start in early 2023,” he said.

It is last January since Part 8 planning permission was granted by Laois councillors, with state funding being the next step necessary.

The new station will be built on land used by Stradbally Civil Defence on Main Street beside the junction to the Cork Road.
The 310sqm building will also have a training tower. 

“I hope it goes from start to finish without a bit in the middle not done,” said Cllr Paschal McEvoy.

Rathdowney fire station has similar approval since 2009 and is now the only one in Laois left waiting on funding to be rebuilt.

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Director of Services Simon Walton said “now that Stradbally is addressed, Rathdowney is the number one priority,” he said.

“I'll put up a statue for you,” promised Cllr John King, who has highlighted repeatedly that the station has no separate bathroom for any female firecrew members.