Anton McNulty
THE iconic WEB night club, which for decades was the place to go for young people in Erris on a night out, is to be transformed into a state-of-the-art indoor entertainment venue complete with a six-lane bowling arena.
The former dance hall – located just outside Belmullet – was also known as the Palm Court and has been closed for the past three years. However, next year it will be re-opened to the public after undergoing a €3.7 million renovation which will also include a children’s play area, lounge bar, restaurant, a pool and snooker hall, an arcade gaming area, function rooms and large car park.
The new development is the brainchild of local company Frank Brogan Ltd and is expected to provide full-time employment for 28 people, as well as a number of part-time positions. Last week, work commenced on the new project, which is expected to be completed in February 2009.
The 26,000 square foot centre will house an array of interactive facilities, including Ireland’s second largest play frame, over 60 brand new video games and will also cater for private events such as birthday parties, staff parties and other celebrations.
Enda Brogan of Frank Brogan Ltd told The Mayo News he has researched the viability of the project over the last two years and is confident that it will be a success in Erris. He explained that he got the idea because there was a clear demand for this type of activity and entertainment in the area and believed it would appeal to community and youth groups as well as tourists.
“To put it bluntly, I got the idea because there was nothing to do in Erris. If you don’t like golf there is nothing much for you to do. Thankfully we have a fabulous hotel with a spa and pool but there is only so long you can spend there and outside of that there is the outdoor adventure activities but they are fine weather activities. This will be a family-orientated facility where parents will be able to have a meal and a drink knowing that their children are also having fun,” he said.
Enda said the reaction locally to the project has been very positive and he even envisages people travelling from outside the Erris area to visit the complex. He said he visited similar complexes in other parts of the country where they were a success and does not consider the venture a major gamble.
Frank Brogan Ltd currently employs 70 full-time staff and 30 part-time staff in Belmullet and Bangor Erris and Enda believes this investment will be a huge boost to the community. The principal contractor is local man James Carabine and they will be using as many local tradesmen and businesses as possible to construct the development.
Enda explained that this development would be another major attraction for Erris, inaddition to a top-class hotel and golf course.
“Times have changed and Erris is stepping up to the plate in terms of bringing tourists to the west of Ireland. This development will be part of the overall package in attracting people to Erris and there will be no need for local people to have to travel 50 miles to Castlebar for entertainment.”
