Castlebar Municipal District ‘more effective’ than former town council
The Fianna Fáil cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District has spoken about the success and camaraderie of the current grouping being much more successful than the previous town councils in respect of the betterment of the town.
Councillor McDonnell has also outlined his determination to see a number of key capital projects starting in in Castlebar, most notably at the former Imperial Hotel, Military Barracks site and the Lough Lannagh district.
He stated: “The people of Castlebar are looking forward to the hotel reopening after being closed for over 10 years and falling into decline.”
Inaction on the project has been a bone of contention for people in the town for some time as plans appeared to have stalled.
A number of councillors have called for it to reopen as a hotel, while Councillor McDonnell stated the door is open for it be developed as a visitor centre due to its historical significance.
Speaking to Aidan Crowley on Community Radio Castlebar, he elaborated: "There is speculation that if the Imperial Hotel is sold, Castlebar will lose €6 million in funding for its redevelopment.
"I’d like to pour cold water on that. A private developer would have to spend on the reconstruction of the hotel. If it is sold, that €6 million can be spent on another project in town, the department have confirmed that, so you would have an additional €6 million to spend in the town.
“If and when the sale of the property comes before us, I would pour over the plans and would have to be happy over the specific proposals of the plan.”
On the state of the building currently, he said it is “in utter disrepair, a complete and total wreck and it’s all about restoring it to its former glory, which will cost a lot of money.”
When questioned why there has been no action on the hotel for over a decade now, McDonnell explained when the council took it over it was "in the throes of an economic recession.”
He was pressed for a timeline on the project and stated: “Four expressions have been declared. The interested parties are being interviewed on their proposals, I’m hoping to have a clearer pictured before Christmas.”
On the military barracks, the three-decade councillor spoke about provisional plans.
"There are drawings and sketches, the plans will be submitted to the department for their consideration," he said.
Separate plans for a multi-million euro investment north of Castle Street car park with multi-storey buildings is currently under review.
In respect of Lough Lannagh, Councillor McDonnell said: “It’s not just a 5km walk, there are spectacular views and facilities, there will be further features but unfortunately there are issues regarding ownership and land swaps.
“There are outstanding legal issues that are being worked out but at an Irish pace, which is not the speed of a cheetah.”
On the issue of the likely formation of the next government, Councillor McDonnell said he would be strong opposed to his party entering into a coalition with Sinn Féin "as junior partners."
"We all know what can happen to junior partners in government and that would not be good for Fianna Fáil," the Moorehall-based representative explained.