Council offices could be converted to hotel, suggests local councillor
A local councillor has suggested relocating the offices of Mayo County Council from Aras an Chontae across the Mall to the Imperial Hotel
A Castlebar area councillor has suggested that Mayo County Council move its headquarters to the Imperial Hotel and convert Aras an Chontae into a hotel.
Cllr Donna Sheridan made this suggestion at this morning’s meeting of the Environment, Climate Action and Agriculture Strategic Policy Committee, where members learned that Aras an Chontae was among four buildings using up to 40% of Mayo County Council’s 23 million kilowatt hours recorded in 2022 and therefore producing more emissions.
There are plans in place to reduce emissions at Aras an Chontae through retrofitting works, such as the replacement of windows and installation of LED lighting.
Cllr Sheridan asked if it were time to look at the long-term picture with regards to Aras an Chontae and suggested that the Council move its operations and offices to the unused Imperial Hotel and to convert the Aras into a hotel.
“Anywhere you go in the world, the local authority is based in a wonderful, historical building. The Imperial has a lot of history and wonderful things attached to it.”
“If the Council were to relocate there, could we look at the Aras as a hotel in the town? It has car parking and we are putting a lot of investment into it already. It is something to consider,” she said.
Cllr Peter Flynn supported this idea and said that he would be in favour of reconsidering the entire area around the Mall as it is one of the most important locations in the county.
Director of Services for the Environment John Condon said that regardless of whether or not Aras an Chontae is used as Council offices or as a hotel, it will still require retrofitting and investment to bring its output of emissions down as the Council aims to reduce emissions by 51% by 2030.
Climate Action Officer Laura Dixon said Aras an Chontae is a very efficient building and replacing old windows with triple-glazed windows will go a long way towards improving its efficiency.
The estimated cost of replacing the windows is €1 million, however, the Council are expecting to receive grant funding of 50% from the SEAI under the Pathfinder 1 Programme. Mr Condon said he expects this work to be completed over the next number of years.
