Minister says Portarlington 'could do with a facelift'
Minister Heather Humphreys said Portarlington ‘could do with a bit of a facelift’ as she turned the sod on what promises to be a transformative project.
“I am delighted to be in Portarlington to turn the sod on the Market House and Square Project,” the Minister for Rural and Community Development said while visiting Portarlington earlier today.
“What this project is all about is revitalising and reimaging the historical town centre in Portarlington,” she explained.
“In fairness when I was driving in the town there I thought to myself yeh, it could do with a bit of a facelift. I think you have chosen well to focus on this building,” Minister Humphreys remarked.
She said the building would be transformed into “the central hub” of the community in and around Portarlington.
“It will be a place where people of all ages including visitors to the town can come and meet and attend events and exhibitions. When the project is complete it will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the Square and will no doubt stimulate further development in the town centre,” said Minister Humphreys.
She congratulated everyone involved in the project which had received almost €1.4 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. She said there has been unprecedented investment under the rural regeneration fund and there would be more to follow for other projects. She said the county of Laois had received funding of €7.27 million from the fund.
“That cinema across the road, you would need to be looking at that as well,” Minister Humphreys said her colleague Minister Martin Heydon had said to her.
She praised the local authority staff and said she was turning the sod today but hoped to be back to cut the ribbon next year.
Laois County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Paschal McEvoy welcomed everyone to the official commencement of the Market House project.
“This project is an example of the commitment of Laois County Council to the sustainable development of Portarlington and its communities,” he said.
He explained that the building was almost 300 years old and had served as a Market House, Courthouse, Town Hall and even a garage in more recent times. He said the refurbished building would now house offices and meeting rooms.
“The refurbished building will interact positively with the surrounding public space and be the stimulus for the regeneration of The Square, enhancing its contribution to the town of Portarlington,” said Cllr McEvoy.
Laois County Council Head of Finance Gerry Murphy heralded the occasion as “the start of a project that will bring huge dividends” to the town of Portarlington.
He said the first stage of the project was the signing of a 30 year lease with the building’s owners Barry and Siobhan Ryan. Mr Murphy thanked the Ryans and explained that their agreement enabled the council to prepare the Portarlington Regeneration Strategy 2030, which put the council in a position to apply for funding.
“We expect to finalise the appointment of the contractor towards the end of next week and we expect to be in a position to commence work very shortly after that,” he told the gathering at Market Square.
The event was attended by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Martin Heydon, Independent TD Dr Cathal Berry, Cllr PJ Kelly, Cllr Aidan Mullins and Assistant Secretary, Rural Development and Regional Affairs, Fintan O’Brien.