Rejuvenation plan set for Salthill

Members of the public, traders and business owners are invited to a ‘Rejuvenation meeting’ organised by the Galway Chamber of Commerce next Tuesday in a bid to spearhead a plan of action for the prime tourist destination.

Chairperson of a new committee set up to lead the plan, Cllr Niall McNelis, said a whole range of issues needed to be tackled such as derelict buildings, parking, signage, facilities, tourism promotion and access by bus.

“It’s an area identified by the Chamber as one of high importance that needs a bit of help,” he stated.

“There’s wholesale clamping going on by private companies and buildings like Baily Point, the old Oasis, the Warwick, the old AIB bank look run down and need a bit of attention and we have this problem with antisocial behaviour at times.”

The committee hopes to enter Salthill into the national Tidy Towns competition in 2016 and plan to examine the possibility of extending the Purple Flag – designating a safe place at night – to the village. Marking out some key walks in the area and building an outdoor exercise park are two initiatives currently under consideration.

“Our first job is to put together a team of doers for Salthill, a snag list of the area will be put together and a time frame to get them fixed put in place. Not everything is going to get done straight away but by planning and putting a wish list on paper, we will have goals that will be met.”

The group also hopes to reinstate the Salthill Festival, which attracted thousands of families to the area during the 1980s and 90s. Another key priority is to get a bus running from Knocknacarra to Salthill – there is one currently in operation from Salthill to Knocknacarra.

“There’s a lot of energy in Salthill at the minute. The children of the stalwarts of Salthill have grown up and are now getting involved in things. There is a real desire to get Salthill up and running all year round.”

The meeting takes place at the Galway Bay Hotel on Tuesday (April 21) at 6.30pm.