€2.6m. outdoor staff training facility planned for Castlebar

COUNCILLORS in Mayo have approved the borrowing of €650,000 towards the cost of a new outdoor training facility for Castlebar Regional Training Centre (CRTC).

It will be constructed at Lios na Circe, in Saleen, Castlebar, and the centre will be owned by Mayo County Council.

Castlebar Regional Training Centre facilitates the training needs of staff in the local authorities, group water schemes, utilities and numerous other public and private companies in the west. Mayo County Council is the lead authority.

A report before the monthly council meeting on Monday explained how the centre is self-financing and operates on an agency basis, with zero impact on the council's budgetary position.

The overall nett cost of the project is €2.65 million. The Department of Transport have confirmed approval of €2m in funding.

It was recommended that the shortfall of €650,000 is financed by the raising of a loan.

The loan will cost €26,000 per annum. Repayments will be met by CRTC.

The loan charges on the borrowings will be funded from training fees and consequently these borrowings will not have any adverse impact on the council's finances.