DEVELOPMENT LAND:The operators of some other town centre schools around the country may follow the example of Co Kildare VEC in selling their valuable sites and using the proceeds to help fund new facilities in less congested areas.
The intense competition between the leading supermarket chains for key trading positions around the country has moved a stage further in Naas, Co Kildare, with the sale of a key town centre site to Superquinn.
The Dublin multiple, which has traded for years from a small store with an even more restricted car-park on Main Street, has paid around €25 million for the 5.5-acre grounds and building of St Patrick's Community College.
Two developers and Superquinn tendered for the site which is on the Newbridge Road, about 500 metres from Main Street.
Because of the size of the site and its town centre zoning, Superquinn will have the option of developing a full size shopping centre once the school moves to a planned new campus at Killashee.
The proceeds of the sale will be used to develop a 1,000-student community college, a 16-classroom school for Gaelscoil Nas na Ri and a temporary primary school facility.
P Elliott & Company has been awarded the contract to build the new educational centre on a 20-acre site. The project is expected to cost around €30 million, according to Sean Ashe, chief executive officer of Kildare VEC. He said they decided to get out of the town centre where they were "choking with cars and all sorts of traffic".
Richard Brophy of estate agent Nolan & Brophy, who handled the sale of the old school, said the operators of some other town centre schools around the country might also be prompted to follow the example of Co Kildare VEC.
Superquinn's acquisition of what is a well located town centre site comes as work continues on the development of a new shopping centre off Main Street.
Dunnes Stores is to anchor the complex with a full size supermarket and department store.
The overall complex will extend to 15,700sq m (170,000sq ft) and is due to open around November 2009.
Tesco also plans to open a large store in Naas, having bought a site at Monread Road, off the Dublin Road. Its planning appeal is before An Bord Pleanála due to local objections.
Naas is one of the fastest growing towns in the State due in part to its good road network and excellent range of facilities.
The population of almost 20,000 is expected to continue growing over the coming years.
