Ballymahon Pobal le Cheile contract signed
Longford County Council have confirmed that design contracts have been signed with Kenny Lyons and Associates Architects for the Ballymahon Pobal le Cheile project.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin attended the official signing.
The Pobal le Cheile project will bring several vacant buildings in Ballymahon back into active use.
As a community hub, the project will become home to many services in the heart of the town.
The council said in a statement that the key locations of these buildings will allow a clustering of service providers and increase accessibility to social services for the community. It will also enhance connectivity and the visual presentation of the area.
Works will include the transformation of the former convent building to accommodate Bridgeways Family Resource Centre (FRC), as well as the Convent Day Care Centre.
The Dean Egan Library be home to a youth club. The Old Schoolhouse will be renovated for remote working and the Ballymahon Men’s Shed.
The works will also present the area as a distinct quarter of the town.
This project is funded under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund through the Department of Rural and Community Development. The funding is administered by Longford County Council.
Speaking at the contract signing, the cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Cllr Turlough McGovern said: “This is a great step forward for Ballymahon. The Pobal le Cheile project will help to see that the needs of County Longford’s fastest growing town are met into the future.
“It will create a cluster of community services all close together and more easily accessible. I am delighted to see these contracts signed and look forward to what the Pobal le Cheile project will do for Ballymahon.”
The council’s chief executive Paddy Mahon added: “The ouncil continue to focus on the regeneration of our towns and communities. This is an incredibly important project. Pobal le Cheile will help to ensure the needs of the community are met, including by facilitating increased service provision through larger and more suitable premises.
“It will help the people of Ballymahon and help to ensure that the local community can continue to grow and thrive.”