€7.6m investment confirmed for major Ballina Quay regeneration
Funding will support new water sports facilities, public realm improvements and refurbishment of Kennedy Glasgow Centre
A major €7.6 million investment in Ballina has been confirmed today (Monday, September 14), with €7.5 million allocated towards the regeneration of Ballina Quay and a further €150,000 for a town centre project design measure.
Mayo Minister Dara Calleary, welcomed the investment, describing the Quay as one of Ballina and north Mayo’s “prize assets” with “massive potential”.
“I’m absolutely thrilled with funding announced today for the Quay in Ballina,” he said.
He said the project would “truly transform the area”, highlighting the Quay’s importance for water sports, local recreation and visitors wishing to explore the River Moy and north Mayo coastline.
The funding package will support a range of improvements at the Quay, including new boating and water sports facilities, new toilets and changing areas, refurbishment of the Kennedy Glasgow Centre, extension of commercial units, landscaping and pedestrian crossings.
Welcoming the announcement, Minister Alan Dillon said the funding represented “a huge boost to Ballina”.
“Ballina is somewhere we all want to be able to congregate in, whether it’s to go shopping, meet friends or family or just visit to absorb the daily activity,” he said. “We all want to see regeneration in our own communities and to provide spaces that are safe and attractive for people from all generations to gather and enjoy.”
He also paid tribute to Mayo County Council and local community organisations involved in developing the projects.
“Across the country this funding will drive economic growth, increase town footfall, combat dereliction, develop community and civic infrastructure,” Minister Dillon added. “When complete, these projects will leave a lasting difference in Ballina, and will help to continue to make our towns and cities great places to live, work and raise a family.”
The regeneration is expected to significantly enhance the area as a recreational, tourism and community asset while improving the public realm around the Quay.
The funding has been announced under the new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund, which will provide more than €400 million for almost 120 projects across every local authority area in the country.
The new fund will support regeneration projects including the redevelopment of vacant or underused sites, public realm improvements and community and civic infrastructure. It will also support the Town Centre First policy and focus investment in some of the most disadvantaged areas of towns and cities.
Minister Calleary and Minister Dillon said they were looking forward to seeing the Ballina project progress over the coming months, describing it as an important investment in the future of the town and the wider north Mayo area.