Tenders to issue shortly for major project in Mayo town
The old Convent site on Altamount Street in Westport is set for redevelopment works
A Westport councillor has welcomed the news that tenders will issue shortly for the development of the old convent site in the town into new civic offices.
Cllr Peter Flynn told last week's meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District that it had been three years and six months since the formal announcement of the development.
"The question people are asking is, assuming the Department signs off on whatever the final tender will be, will the cost be substantially more than the €12 million estimated cost back then?”
Head of the district Seamus O’Mongain, revealed that the tender process would actually be pushed out by a further two weeks, followed by a three-month assessment period, after which the contractor could then be on the ground.
“So it will be quarter two in 2025 at least”, asserted Cllr Flynn, adding: “So in all likelihood we are looking at works in March or April 2025, four years on from being awarded funding. Really, this has caused huge anxiety around the town, people are so frustrated and it comes up all the time.”
Cllr Brendan Mulroy said the controversy regarding the adjoining site also needed to be sorted out and he called on the board of management at the Sacred Heart School to meet with councillors.
"Holy Trinity had the site first. If the Sacred Heart board of management refuse the offer to also move on to the site, the Department of Education will have to issue them with portable buildings on their own site straight away. Otherwise, we are trying to kick that Church of Ireland school and the community out of existence and that will be shame on us.”
