Ballinrobe Town Hall fund breaks €100,000

Ciara Galvin

THE development of a new town hall for Ballinrobe came one step closer last week when its funding campaign broke the €100,000 milestone.
The committee, headed up by Michael Sweeney, welcomed the breakthrough in funding and continue working on raising the estimated €400,000 shortfall needed to make the hall a reality on the town’s Neale Road.
“It’s encouraging, the campaign has been running for nine weeks so to reach over €100,000 is great,” said Mr Sweeney.
The 40 strong team of collectors are continuing their door-to-door calls for the next two weeks to explain to the community about the different contribution options available to help fund the building of the hall.
“We’d encourage people who have made a commitment to make a contribution not to leave it on the long finger,” he said.
Once the door-to-door campaign is complete, the committee will be focusing their efforts on fundraising events and making contact with agencies to discuss their commitments.
Asked what feedback has been like at the doors, Mr Sweeney said it has been positive.
“People who might have been hesitant will now see it’s a serious project. People who had an association with the Hall are keen and committed and we haven’t touched base with the diaspora yet.”
Mr Sweeney said the committee are being realistic and know they can’t expect 100 percent contribution from each household, but that with the sizeable target of €400,000 set, they hope to get near that total.
“We need community support behind us, if agencies feel the community are willing, we’ll have a greater argument for funding. Businesses have been very good stepping up to the mark.”
Sweeney added that with planning submitted for a hotel for the town, he believes the two developments will complement each other.

Team effort
Meanwhile, Ballinrobe Town FC has devised a novel way of showing support for the campaign.
The club’s U-14 boys’ team has cut a fine dash in recent games with their new jerseys featuring the Ballinrobe Town Hall logo.
“This is our way of raising awareness of the campaign to rebuild the Town Hall, which we fully support,” said club chairperson Declan Commons.
“The jersey is getting a lot of attention at home and away games and we are delighted that it is helping to promote the very worthwhile effort to restore a Town Hall to Ballinrobe.”
In total, it is expected that the Hall will cost approximately €1.3m to build.

MORE Anyone interested in supporting this major project should contact Chairperson Michael Sweeney, 087 2588 615 or Secretary Siobhan O’Malley, 087 2072307.