Council official says no stone will be left unturned to advance north Mayo project
Mayo County Council Director of Services tells Ballina councillors they hope to start Quay project as soon as possible
A SENIOR official with Mayo County Council promised that no stone will be left unturned in progressing the regeneration project for Ballina Quay.
On Monday, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, confirmed that Ballina is to receive over €7.6 million in funding from the new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund programme.
The announcement of the funding was welcomed by local councillors at the monthly meeting of Ballina Municipal District on Wednesday who stated that it will transform the area.
Director of Services, Catherine McConnell also told the meeting that Mayo County Council will have to provide an additional €2.5 million for the project but stressed that it will be 'money well spent'.
“The injection of €10 million in the area can completely transform and revitalise it and we are grateful to the minister for delivering for Ballina,” she said.
“We hope to be on the ground as quickly as possible but we have to be realistic with the development. There is a lot of work to be done with the detailed design and getting that to tender and getting a contractor on the ground. We will not leave any stone unturned to get that done,” she told local councillors.
Ms McConnell also thanked the Ballina Municipal District architect, Emmet O'Donnell and his team for 'getting the application turned around in a very short space of time' and securing ' that kind of transformative investment'.
Cathaoirleach of the Ballina Municipal District, Cllr Annie May Reape said she was delighted to join Minister Calleary and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne on Monday for the announcement and was pleased to hear that the project is 'shovel ready'.
Speaking at the announcement on Monday, Minister Calleary said that the Quay is one of Ballina and north Mayo’s prize assets with massive potential.
“I am very excited to watch this project progress in the coming months. The funding will provide for new boating and water sports facilities; new toilets and changing areas; the refurbishment of the Kennedy Glasgow Centre; the extension of commercial units and installation of landscaping and pedestrian crossings”