This article is from page 34 of the 2007-03-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 34 JPG
PLANS to construct an aeronautical museum close to Shannon Airport are very much alive and communi- cations on the matter have resumed over the past fortnight.
Eddie Ryan has put together his plans for an Air Venture Park and has over the past few years carried out much research on the matter.
Mr Ryan, a retired aeronautical en- gineer at Shannon Airport, plans to locate old planes and old plane en- gines in the centre, if it gets the go-
ahead.
The initial stage of the project will be titled “The Pioneer Hangar Project’, which will be an interactive museum and aviation education pro- eramme. Mr Ryan is optimistic that the centre will become a major tour- ist attraction, at the airport.
He has carried out a sample mar- keting survey in primary and sec- ondary schools in the mid west and was particularly impressed with the reaction of teachers and transition year students.
Earlier this year, Shannon Airport
manager Martin Moroney told Mr Ryan he is interested in the project, but that it must fit in with the airport’s security regime and with the proper development of the airport site.
Mr Moroney informed Mr Ryan and his associates that the vacant Westair Hangar is not owned by air- port management and is therefore not available to let.
“What we can suggest is that you provide a portacabin and position it adjacent to the vacant Westair Hang- ar,’ said Mr Moroney, in correspond- ence with Mr Ryan.
The normal site rental charge is €28 per square metre.
“However, depending on the area you require, we will agree a nomi- nal charge for a two-year period and therefore when the project is oper- ating successfully and provided we can allow you to continue, the nor- mal rental charge will apply,” added Mr Moroney.
Mr Ryan will also be responsible for fencing in the area.
Councillors in Shannon have also given their backing to Mr Ryan’s ed ehe