Athlone's 4,200 m2 Civic Centre and Library opened to the public to great acclaim in October 2004. Designed by Keith Williams Architects after the firm won the European architectural competition, the final building has garnered 11 major design awards and commendations. It contains the council chamber, executive offices, facilities for all local authority public services and a 1,000 m2 public library which includes, Adult Lending, Children's Library, Archive and Research Spaces, Special Collections, Local History, Exhibitions and a Computer Learning Centre. The Civic Centre is the focal project in the town's regenerative strategy and was described as a "ravishingly beautiful building" by Dick Roche TD, then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The building won the RIAI Award for Best Sustainable Project 2005