Denise Horan
THE long-awaited restoration of Westport Town Hall appears to have been thrown a lifeline – by Mayo County Council and Westport Town Council.
In the course of a discussion on the civic centre project proposed for the Westport convent site, at last week’s Westport Town Council meeting, Peter Hynes said that if funding cannot be sourced from central Government for the town hall, Westport Town Council and Mayo County Council would ‘have to look at’ putting a financial package together for the project.
Apparently indicating that the town hall will not be among the amenities sited on the old convent grounds, the Town Manager said ‘there is work ongoing’ in relation to the existing town hall, at The Octagon. He said that given the current economic climate, prices for restoration could have dropped considerably for the work that is required – and may drop even further.
Speaking to The Mayo News at the weekend, a spokesperson for the Town Hall Committee confirmed that ‘an informal conversation’ had taken place between one of its members and Council officials in recent weeks. The spokesperson said it was hoped that these discussions would continue in the coming weeks and months.
“We are not in a position to say anything more at the minute, but we are certainly more optimistic. No effort will be spared in ensuring that the town hall is restored and if all agencies and members of the community work together there is no reason why it cannot be achieved,” said the spokesperson.
“Westport badly needs a good community centre and a venue for the performing arts,” the representative concluded.
