As Ballina Art centres progresses Martin asks "What about Westport?"
The news that Ballina's new Arts centre has received €1.2 million is very welcome news says Cllr Keith Martin but it also raises the question of what about Westport?
Cllr Martin says "The Department of the Arts, Sports and Tourism has approved funding for the new centre in Ballina, meanwhile here in Westport we learn this week that St Patrick's Drama Group have had to leave Westport's Town Hall because of the deterioration of the building's condition.
"In December 2006 we in Westport applied for funding for a €2.75 million euro refit for the Town Hall to avoid the closure of this vital public building but to no avail.
Cllr Martin adds that "The existing building requires substantial repair work including the total re-roofing and re-plastering. The plans also include the demolition of the rear extensions to the left of the main hall, their replacement with more up-to-date multi-purpose areas and back stage facilities and the alteration of the front elevation to create a more open and public facade. This would give us a state of the art indoor public hall, theatre and exhibition space with room for organisations like the drama group.
"No-one is begrudging Ballina its successful grant but why is Westport left waiting? We have a great need for a new Town Hall but our funding applications have been refused. It's a shame that Westport is falling behind other Mayo towns with regard to public facilities such as a Town Hall theatre, a Civic Office and library."
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