I have received confirmation that the Department of Community and Rural Development have given approval to proceed with the renovation of the Town Hall in Loughrea.
“I allocated funding of €1.6 million for the renovation of the building in the town when I was Minister of State for Rural Affairs in the Department of Community and Rural Development in 2019 under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund.”
“Following on from the appointment of a design team the building was surveyed, additional structural works adding additional costs arose which exceeded the original estimate. The revised contract price was submitted to the Department for approval”.
The funding will provide for the major restoration and refurbishment of the iconic building known as Loughrea Town Hall and enhancement works at Barrack Street.
“Loughrea has huge potential and I have worked very closely with all the key stakeholders in the town who have been directly involved in preparing these very exciting plans.”
“The Town Hall has been derelict since the late 1980s and had become an eyesore. It was acquired by Galway County Council in 2000.”
“Now it is to be transformed into a 158-seater theatre along with a multi-functional space for the arts, culture and community events, a tourism hub, a learning hub and a visual creation space.
“There will also be a digital and creative enterprise hub on the first floor which will create jobs for the town centre.
Street enhancement of Barrack Street will include a new footpath, resurfacing and relining of the parking area, installation of new bollards and landscaping at the Potato Market area, Temperance Hall, and the wider Barrack Street area.
Galway County Council is the lead applicant for the project along with five other partners, including Loughrea Chamber of Commerce, Loughrea Arts, Recreation and Culture group (LARC), Naomh Brendáin Credit Union Ltd, Loughrea Tidy Towns and the Sustainable Energy West Committee”.
“I look forward to an early commencement of construction on site by the contractor to ensure that the people of Loughrea will have a vibrant Town Hall in the centre of the town.”