Council agrees to pay funds to WDC for city arthouse cinema

The biggest funding sanctioned was 50 thousand euro per annum to be paid directly to the Western Development Commission for a loan for the Solas Arthouse cinema.

It was agreed at last evening's meeting to allocate 30 thousand euro to Connaught Rugby, 10 thousand to Macnas, 8 thousand to Galway Arts Festival for the Share Galway Initiative and 5 thousand euro each for Shantalla Gathering and Galway Women's football.

The biggest debate over funding was for the Solas Arthouse Cinema.

The Council had already agreed to provide 200 thousand euro for the cinema at the Docks at a previous meeting.

However, last evening the City Manager recommended that the money be paid directly to the Western Development Commission.

This is because the WDC provided the bridging loan for the project.

Councillor Colette Connolly proposed that the motion be passed as she said the city can't afford for the project to fail.

However, Councillor Michael Crowe raised concerns about bond for the project, which was put in place by the previous developers.

Solas is currently in the process of trying to secure that bond of 600 thousand euro after the previous developers were unable to complete the project.

Councillor Crowe wanted to ensure the Council's 200 thousand euro is protected by ensuring the bond is paid before handing over the grant.

But Councillor Hildegarde Naughton said insisting that the bond money be ensured , before paying out the funds, will hold up the process of finishing the cinema.

The funding of 200 thousand euro to be paid directly to the WDC for the Solas cinema was passed by a majority of councillors.