Anna-Marie Flynn
UP to 150 jobs are expected to be created with the development of Ballina’s new state of the art primary health care centre.
The multi-million euro development on Kevin Barry Street at the entrance to the town is headed up by local doctors, Tom and Sean Moffatt, and is expected to see in the region of 150 jobs created during its year-long construction process.
The news has come as a welcome boost to the north-Mayo capital which is currently experiencing an unprecedented rise in unemployment figures.
With work starting in earnest last week, site preparation works carried out prior to commencement included the demolition of the former Hurst’s Hotel building which was over 100 years old.
Hurst’s Hotel was a landmark premises in the town and attracted tourists up to its closure in the 1970s. It was originally opened by Nan Hurst, and subsequently taken over by Mary and Pascal Burke, who ran it until it was sold to its current owner in 1986, Dr Tom Moffatt. Plans by the former TD to further develop the accommodation business fell foul to planning issues and the new primary care centre project, a brainchild of the Moffatts, has now come to pass.
The proposed development will incorporate the existing Ballina Medical Centre where both doctors, Tom and Sean Moffatt currently practice. It is expected that the project will be open for business this time next year.
The new centre will see teams of independent and HSE healthcare professionals joining forces to deliver integrated primary healthcare to both the people and General Practitioners of the wider north Mayo region.
