Ballinrobe town hall project takes major step forward

BALLINROBE’S new town hall has moved one step closer to realisation following the appointment of a project manager.

KSN Project Management, who have vast experience of similar projects nationwide, were chosen as the preferred tenderer on the eTenders platform for the position of a project management team.

They will commence their work immediately on redeveloping the Valkenburg Hotel, which was acquired by the Ballinrobe Town Hall committee for €305,000 in 2020.

The programme of works will include the development of a multifunctional theatre space with ancillary entertainment area, catering facilities and accommodation.

The upstairs bar and so-called ‘white room’ on the top floor will not be interfered with as part of the redevelopment. 

The former hotel has been used for indoor gatherings and meetings by local groups on a limited basis in recent times.

The project, which is being run in partnership with South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC), has received over €4.8 in funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).

Sabina Trench, CEO of SWMDC, said: “KSN Project Management will be our project management team until the day the venue opens. The focus of their work now is to begin the process of preparing tender documents for the employment of a multi-disciplinary design team for the project. When that is done, the multi-disciplinary team will draw up the specification required to allow the construction of the project go out to tender on eTenders.”

Michael Sweeney, Chairperson, Ballinrobe Town Hall, said the appointment of KSN Project Management marked ‘another crucial step’ towards delivering the new town hall and ‘will ensure value for money and a high quality of work right through the design and construction phases’.

Liam Diskin, Director, KSN Project Management, said: “We are delighted to be associated with such a high-profile community project in the west of Ireland. Our new offices in Co Galway will ensure that we are agile and responsive throughout the project lifecycle. This is an exciting project for Ballinrobe and for KSN Project Management.”