VISITORS to Fingal County Council’s headquarters in Swords can look forward to carrying out their business in the newly renovated reception area.
Minister John Paul Phelan joined Mayor of Fingal Cllr Mary McCamley and Fingal County Council chief executive Paul Reid at the official opening of the Atrium.
Minister Phelan said he was delighted to officially open the facility.
“The changes which have been made to this important area will allow Fingal to continue evolving positively and cater for the changing economic and social requirements of its citizens,” he said.
The Atrium has been designed to reflect this with the addition of touch screen computers which allow customers to easily access resources and services.
The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is also located in the newly renovated reception creating a welcoming environment for small or new businesses seeking support or guidance from the council.
Paul Reid said: “The refurbishment of the Atrium is part of a wider engagement with stakeholders, including staff, local businesses and citizens.
“The Atrium is the first phase in a series of initiatives that will seek to modernise and change how the county council delivers services and promotes the county as the place to live, work, visit and do business.”
Mayor McCamley said: “As well as being a place where citizens can do conduct their business with the council, the Atrium is also a community space which can host exhibitions and events.
“We have the youngest and fastest growing population in Europe and the refurbishment of the Atrium is an example of how the interaction between the public and council is changing.”
Fingal County Council has been in existence since 1994 with the building on Swords Main Street opening in 2000.
Project managers Annette Sweeney and Paula Serada worked alongside Consulting Structural Engineers Anthony McCauley and Gary Duggan to complete the Atrium.
Commenting on the process, County Architect Fionnuala May said: “The final phase of the Atrium was opened to customers in March and is a positive addition to an already award-winning building which simply required modernisation. Fingal customers now have increased access to resources that matter to them while engaging with and exploring the council.”
The Atrium has also been shortlisted for the ‘Fit Out of the Year Award’, an interior design competition. The winner will be announced in November.
Fingal councillors and staff, as well as representatives of business and community groups, were also in attendance.
There was also a guest appearance by Balbriggan singer Sharon Gaynor, a finalist in The Voice 2012, while music was provided by a string trio from the Cross Border Orchestra.