Following nearly a decade of robust campaigning and fundraising, the stalwart efforts of the Loughrea Arts Recreation & Culture (LARC ) community group are celebrating the announcement that contract documents for the refurbishment of the historic landmark, are now on e-tenders.
With the deadline for project 'clarifications' being listed as May 22, and the open date for tender submissions will take place on June 5.
A spokesperson from LARC stated, “After years of campaigning alongside Naomh Breandan Credit Union and local counsellors, it is wonderful to finally see tangible progression for the town hall.
"Our aim remains steadfast, to continue to bring awareness of this project to the people of Loughrea; and to promote and envision the possibilities of this fantastic local amenity. We can now look forward to the return of artistic and cultural events at the town hall in the near future.
One step closer to the end goal
Driven by a mission to revitalise a once fundamental cornerstone of Loughrea, serving the community as a cinema, community meeting centre, ballroom and dance hall and as a local hub, the once proud Town Hall closed in the late 1980s. Since 2015, the LARC have been campaigning to bring the town hall back to life, guided by its motto of, 'Working to restore the town hall cinema in Loughrea - for the community, by the community'.
In November 2019, as part of the Rural Regeneration Fund rolled out by the Department of Rural and Community Development, the town hall received a grant of €1.7 million. Expected to be completed by 2021, the project was stymied by rising construction costs, remaining at a standstill until May, 2023.
The LARC group have stated that they 'continue to work with Galway County Council to ensure the town hall building is restored to its former prominence as a centre of cultural life for the town'.
"This means providing a space for social inclusion, youth, training, tourism, cultural and social events along with the development of local enterprise."
