Galway Bay FM News Archives
Mervue community centre may be sold off
Date Published: 23-May-2011
By Dara Bradley
The Mervue Community Centre may be sold, with the trustees of the centre confirming that preliminary discussions have taken place with at least three organisations that were interested in purchasing the property.
However the trustees have stressed to the Sentinel that the centre, which was built for the benefit of the Mervue community in the 1980s, will not be offloaded unless and until consultation with, and agreement of, the local community in Mervue is secured.
Those organisations that have used the centre, which is located beside the credit union in Mervue, will continue to have residency in the centre even if it is sold, trustees have said.
The building has fallen into disrepair in recent years – the trustees estimate that it could take up to €150,000 to renovate the centre up to modern standards.
The building needs to be reroofed, the entire heating system needs replacing while the toilets and showers also need to be upgraded.
The cost of running the premises – it costs around €4,000 to insure it every year alone – is also a factor in the trustees’ decision to explore the possibility of selling the building.
The facility is used weekly by members of Mervue Active Retirement Association (ARA) and the local Ladies’ Club. A Thai boxing club also used it in recent years.
It used to be used by Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) for holding students’ examinations but this ceased about two years ago, with a subsequent loss of vital income to operate the facility.
The third level institute is thought to be one of the organisations with an interest in buying the property.
One of the trustees, parish priest Fr Willie Cummins, confirmed that sale of the building is under consideration.
Fr Cummins stressed that nothing would be done without the consent of the community – the trustees hold the building ‘in trust’ for the community, he said.
Read more in today’s Connacht Sentinel
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
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