Frustration in Westport over access to Quay Community Centre
LOCAL frustration over the lack of access to the Quay Community Centre in Westport has prompted residents to host a meeting with Mayo County Council and government representatives.
In April 2015, the centre’s voluntary management committee was disbanded by Mayo County Council and residents say there was "no engagement or consultation" with the committee or the community.
At that time the centre was thriving with huge community involvement and it hosted the Quay Community Project, supported by Westport Family and Community Resource Centre, involving over 90 children from the Quay.
According to the Quay Community Group, serious obstacles were put in the way of the project using the centre, and in March of this year, they were informed by the council that it can no longer be accommodated there.
"This is a very sad situation,” said Alex Mealia, spokesperson of the Quay Community Group.
“We live in what is supposed to be the best town to live in Ireland and recently picked up an award for the tidiest large town in Ireland.
"Yet, we have community facilities which are not being made available to the very communities, which they were specifically built for.
"This is unacceptable. So, now, it is time not to be seen to be doing the right thing, but to do the right thing.”
As well as the Quay Community Project being denied use of the centre, other members of the community find it difficult to host birthday parties or one off activities, with lack of insurance commonly cited as the issue.
According to the working group, the centre's public liability insurance should suffice for such community activity.
Currently, the centre is dominated by private users running activities, as opposed to genuine community activity, often with costs that are beyond the scope of many families in the area.
“There is no local involvement in the management of the centre, which is preventing local people from being able to determine a Community Centre programme which reflects local need,” said Alex.
“The Quay Community Centre and other community facilities should be run and managed with the community and for the community, which really is the very reason for their existence."
A meeting to discuss the operational and access issues at the Quay Community Centre will take place on Tuesday, October 16, in Westport Coast Hotel at 7.30 p.m. and all those with concerns or queries are encouraged to attend.