Civic Centre a priority - McGuire

Civic Centre a priority for Cllr McGuire


Aine Ryan

THE DEVELOPMENT of the former Mercy Sisters convent into Westport’s Civic Offices will be a priority of the heritage town’s newly appointed first citizen, Cllr Tereasa McGuire.
Speaking after her appointment last week, Cllr McGuire observed that the convent – bought by Mayo County Council late last year – must not be allowed to fall into disrepair.
“A premier town in both the county and the country must have proper civic offices.
This is an opportune time to hire builders to develop the site since prices are better,” Cathaoirleach McGuire said.
Agreeing ‘wholeheartedly’, Cllr Margaret Adams urged ‘that the convent project be progressed, or otherwise the buildings would deteriorate’.
Fine Gael’s Cllr Christy Hyland said the civic space must be prioritised ‘since it will benefit the entire town’ and, moreover, a town that is ‘on both the national and international stage’.
“I don not wish that this council is forced to write to itself about a derelict site it owns!,” Cllr Hyland said.
Responding, Mr Joe Beirne, Town Manager, said ‘it was not an easy time to find capital to advance major projects such as the Civic Centre’. 
It is the second occasion that Cllr Tereasa McGuire, the Principal of Drummin National School, was appointed first citizen of Westport.
She also held the position in 2006-2007, during which she introduced the annual Cathaoirleach’s Ball.
Educational projects, the ongoing development of the Greenway, the Rockies and Bog Field projects as well as the community facilities at the Quay are also among her priorities.
Fine Gael’s Cllr Michael McLaughlin was appointed Leas-Cathaoirleach.
His broad interest in the arts, design and in festivals were cited by Cllr Myles Staunton as particular strengths the youngest member of the council had contributed to council meetings.