Good news for Ballina as first tenants set to move into Innovation Quarter
Office space at the Innovation Quarter, which is expected to be occupied in the coming days.
It is hoped that the first tenant of Ballina’s new Innovation Quarter will have moved into the €8 million facility by the end of the week.
Head of the Ballina Municipal District Declan Turnbull said there are still a few things to sort out for the prospective tenants but they are hoping to iron them out shortly.
“The first tenants are due in by the end of next week, there are just the last few things to sort in terms of keys and security and then hopefully more tenants will move in during April and into early May,” he said.
Mr Turnbull said the public plaza at the Innovation Quarter is becoming more popular and does not believe recent vandalism in the form of graffiti will be an ongoing problem.
“More and more people are using the area now and having clients there coming and going will improve the ambience. There will also be a number of community events there in the coming months such as the Mayo.ie Western People Women's Mini-Marathon and some Salmon Festival events.”
Cllr Mark Duffy also believes the area will experience less vandalism once there is a consistent presence.
“There will be better surveillance once the tenants are in but there is also the issue of young people needing something to do in Ballina, which is where the provision of something like a skatepark would be very proactive,” he said.
“There is no doubt the IQ will be a great public space in the summer months.”
It is hoped that the Innovation Quarter, in the heart of the town centre, will be a major driver of economic growth in the years ahead.
