Councillor welcomes interest in transforming former Mayo hotel
An elected member of Mayo County Council has welcomed the fact that four interested parties have come forward to express an interest in the Imperial hotel in Castlebar.
Councillor Cyril Burke tabled the motion a few months back to seek the expressions of interest after a previous agreement to sell the property had fallen through.
The motion met with some opposition and was put to a vote which was carried by five votes to two.
Councillor Burke said he is dismayed by the fact that the two opposing councillors "were not even willing to listen to any potential proposal that may be out there to develop the hotel from it's derelict state."
He elaborated: "The hotel has been falling into disrepair for more than 10 years now and it's about time we did something about it.
"I except the fact that there is government funding earmarked for the regeneration of the town centre.
"But this depends on a number of organisations coming together to engage in this regeneration and signing up to leasing and co-funding their sections.
"In my view this could be a long protracted process.
"I am not saying either that it should be discarded as the chief executive of Mayo County Council has assured me that this process is still running in-tandem to exploring the expression of interest initiative.
"It is also a possibility that the funds earmarked for the Imperial Hotel may be switched to fund other potential projects within the core town centre which could be a win-win situation.
"I believe it is important that the connection to Michael Davitt and the Land League is linked in some way to the redevelopment of the hotel, which I am sure can be achieved and used to market whatever business or enterprise is established at the location.
"Michael Davitt was a remarkable leader and politician for our county and country and this must be recognised.
"I must say I was dismayed when a presentation was made to a monthly meeting of the council on July 24 when we learned that the Michael Davitt Museum in Straide is struggling for funding.
"I proposed that a figure of €25,000 be included in next year's budget to support the museum in it endeavours to promote Davitt.
"I was extremely disappointed that the two members present at the meeting and whom sit on the board of the museum did not support my proposal - yet they are the same members who voted against the motion for expressions of interest in the Imperial Hotel, citing the importance of preserving Davitt and his connection to the hotel.
"It beggars belief that if they felt that strongly about Davitt that they would have brought the funding shortage to our attention.
"Nevertheless we will soon have an opportunity to see what proposals may be out there waiting to breath new life into the Imperial Hotel building, which is pivotal to regenerating of our core town centre and maybe those councillors will have a change of heart if the right proposal comes along."