Knock for a big welcome to the west!

Work has commenced on a new innovative and state of the art Visitor Discovery Centre at Ireland West Airport, under the Rural Economic Development Zone (REDZ) initiative.

The build of the new Visitor Discovery Centre, to be located outside the arrivals area of the airport, will be undertaken by local construction company Kenaidan who were the successful contractor following a tender process which concluded recently.

Construction of the new Centre is expected to take up to 16 weeks with planned completion towards the end of September.

The new Centre will be a central resource for information on attractions, activities, events and visitor experiences from across the region.

The new Visitor Discovery Centre will howcase the experiential brands of the seven local authorities of ‘Ireland West’; Donegal, Galway City, Galway County, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, and Sligo.

It will also facilitate displays of local crafts, local food tastings and provide dedicated space for live local musical performances throughout the year.

It will provide for ‘Face to Face’ personalised and comprehensive information and advice to overseas visitors as they arrive into the airport while inspiring visitors to see and do more.

And it will include a new 20 foot video wall featuring stunning video footage promoting the counties within the region

During the construction phase of the project disruption to normal operations will be kept to a minimum but passengers are advised that a temporary wayfinding system will be in place to assist and guide passengers through the terminal on arrival at the airport.

This project is the start of the next phase of the airports major transformation programme aimed at providing new passenger facilities, terminal upgrades and infrastructural works across the airport helping to modernise and enhance the facilities for passengers and customers.

See full story in this week’s business section of the Connacht Tribune.