This article is from page 28 of the 2010-02-09 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 28 JPG
THE €1 million cost of refurbishing a community centre, described as “one of the best” in Clare, means En- nis Town Council is unlikely to take over the running of the building, a meeting has heard.
The future of the CYMS Commtu- nity Hall in Ennis was discussed at the February meeting of Ennis Town Council, following a motion submit- ted by Mayor of Ennis, Clir Frankie Neylon (Ind).
Cllr Neylon’s motion called on the council to state whether or not they intended to accept the offer of the CYMS Community Hall, Chapel Lane, Ennis, made to them by the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh.
Cllr Neylon told the meeting that he believed the council should take over a building he said was “owned” by the people of Ennis. Highlighting the
building’s town centre location, Cllr Neylon described it as “one of the best facilities in the county”.
Responding to Cllr Neylon’s mo- tion, Town Clerk, Eddie Power stated, “As you are aware, Bishop William Walsh met with the council in relation to the Ennis Community Centre. Consultations subsequently took place between officials of the council and representatives of the Diocese in 2008. The members were subsequently briefed on these dis- cussions. The building is used for a multiplicity of purposes involving a number of different tenants.
“The council is not in a position having regard to the availability of finance to assume responsibility, for the management, maintenance or the future development of this building. It is understood that the refurbish- ment of the building would require significant capital investment in the
order of €1 million, which is not cur- rently available to the council.”
Cllr Paul O’Shea (Lab) supported the proposed takeover of the build- ing. He said, “You couldn’t ask for a better location. The youth centre has been running a very successful youth OF Nem ORONO MNS Koma
Cllr O’Shea also requested that the council provide a full report on the costs associated with running the building.
Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) said the council should not take over the building unless it is assured of “va- cant possession”.
“T don’t believe that we could run it given the way finances are at the moment. There are three or four dif- ferent organisations using it at the moment. We were told in the meet- ing with the bishop that we couldn’t get vacant possession,” he said.
Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) agreed
that the council would first have to be ensured vacant possession of the building before it could take owner- ship. He said money collected from development levies could be used for refurbishment. Cllr Flynn later pro- posed that the council purchase the building.
Town Manager, Ger Dollard told the meeting that it was costing the Diocese of Killaloe an estimated €150,000 a year to staff and run the building. “It’s not just a simple mat- ter of taking over the building. There are a number of complex issues as- sociated with it.”
Cllr Peter Considine (FF) warned that members should be “wary of what you wish for’, stating that itis a lot more expensive to repair a listed building than a standard one.
The proposal to purchase the build- ing was later withdrawn, pending a full report on costs.