Row erupts over proposal to turn Mayo council HQ into a hotel

AN elected member of Mayo County Council has castigated a proposal to sell the authority's headquarters in Castlebar for the development of a hotel - with the relocation of staff and offices to a refurbished Imperial Hotel nearby.

In a statement, Councillor Martin McLoughlin described the suggestion in respect of Aras an Chontae by Councillor Donna Sheridan as 'ridiculous, outrageous and reckless.'

Councillor Sheridan had issued her call at a meeting of the council's strategic policy committee on tourism, of which Councillor McLoughlin is chairperson.

She did so after being informed of a plan by the council to raise €1 million for the installation of new energy efficient windows at Áras an Chontae.

Rather then proceeding with the costly retrofit, Councillor Sheridan put forward a unique solution - moving the Áras officers into a refurbished Imperial Hotel and selling off the council HQ as a hotel.

However, Councillor McLoughlin is totally opposed to such a move, claiming it would have a major impact on staff and existing services.

He stated: "I never got so many phone calls, email and texts about an issue.

"In my view, there is no support for such a spurious suggestion. I certainly will never support it.

"Áras an Chontae is a purpose-built office block, officially opened in May 1989, and it has served this county very well and will continue to do so.

"Replacing it with a hotel would involve razed it to the ground, leaving it only site value.

"It was designed to serve the public and a more efficient delivery of service by staff.

"It is located in a complex of other buildings, including the Annex, which houses the Castlebar Municipal District chamber and canteen, the water and group water departments, the county library and two large car parks.

"All of which were designed to serve the public in one centre and complement the realm of the Mall," he added.