Progress on plan to turn old Mayo post office into youth centre

Progress has been reported on plans to transform the old Post Office at Mountain View in Castlebar into a community youth resource centre.

Local councillors have been informed that the project is at an advanced stage of design preparation - with some minor amendments and updates to the design underway following recent discussions with Foróige.

The statutory applications, namely fire safety certificate and disability access certificate, will have to be updated accordingly.

Mayo County Council is leading the project in-house but some external supports - including mechanical and electrical consultants, civil and structure consultants and quantity surveyors - are required to complete the design and tender documents.

Stated a council spokesperson: "These service providers were appointed previously and we are currently in discussion to agree revised fees for the additional and amended works required.

"We are working to a programme to make a 'gate 2' submission to the department in quarter four of this year, which is essentially seeking approval to go to tender.

"The estimated advertisement of tenders will be early quarter one of next year.

"The Memorandum of Understanding is in place between the council and Foróige."

The property has been lying vacant for a number of years.