Plans move forward to transform old Galway courthouse into community space
Progress is being made to see an old Headford courthouse building revamped as Galway County Council has committed to hosting a public consultation for its future use.
Councillor Andrew Reddington has long since called for the building on Bridge Street to home community services. A survey of the premises was conducted late last year and sent to the local authority in hopes of securing a vision and funding.
The building shares a site with An Garda Síochana station, therefore the council is in discussion with the Office of Public Works (OPW) to bring clarity to site boundaries and other legalities.
Refurbishment works would be needed to bring the building up to spec for public use, but Cllr Reddington said that Galway County Council has the vacant town square property in mind for funding.
Securing funding through the Town and Village Renewal scheme is being considered as well as other options that would support community spaces and vacant building restoration.
According to Cllr Reddington, Helena McElmeel Architects have been appointed to manage public consultations, design concepts, and other technical details.
The priority is to get a public consultation date booked for early May, Cllr Reddington told the Irish Independent.
“Gaining community input on ideas for the property is a key part of the scope agreed,” he added. “It is a very important site that could be used as a community space.”