Call for refurbishment of disused buildings as part of Tuam regeneration

A town centre enhancement project should be an integral part of the new Tuam Regeneration Masterplan.

That’s according to local councillors who want disused buildings such as the iconic Town Hall to be given a new lease of life – and they have asked Galway County Council to include this in their overall plan.

This masterplan has been described as key to the town’s development into the future as it looks to provide a market square, and arts centre, develop roads as well as taking account of some of the town’s existing structures.

The masterplan has been welcomed by Galway East TD Sean Canney who described as being hugely important for the town’s development.

The Independent TD said that for the first time ever, there is now a specific plan for Tuam.

“I welcome the inclusion of projects which will provide the basis for ensuring Tuam remains a growth centre and an attractive location for people to visit, work, live in and raise their families,” he said.

“The next stage in the process is to seek further funding from the Rural Regeneration Fund and the Urban Regeneration Fund. Tuam is in a unique position in that it qualifies for both funds,” Deputy Canney added.

As a community, Deputy Canney said that it was important to ensure that this Masterplan does not gather dust on some shelf.

“We now need to be ready for the next funding call to ensure we have the resources to implement this masterplan.

“I commend Galway County Council and the stakeholders who participated in the forum and contributed to its publication.

“Together we can now drive the implementation of the Plan by targeting the projects of high priority that can be delivered in the short term.”

The matter came before a meeting of Tuam Municipal Council at which it was stated by Cllr Karey McHugh that the most centrally located building in Tuam that hasn’t been used for years is the Town Hall on the Square.

The Independent councillor said that she would like to see the Town Hall being utilised even for an indoor market or for groups but leaving it lying idle is no longer acceptable

Cllr McHugh is also urging that owners of vacant town centre buildings should be approached with a view to have them refurbished.

Executive Planner, Hazel Fox, informed the meeting that the Town Hall in Tuam would be part of a feasibility study as part of the Masterplan but described it as a main priority.

She also confirmed that the Council would be carrying upgrading works on a street-by-street basis and would be liaising with the owners of local businesses.