A very successful facilitated workshop was held in King House recently under the auspices of Boyle Town Team and Boyle Chamber of Commerce.
The workshop, funded by Roscommon Integrated Company, discussed the action plans for the town as announced by the Town Team last December.
Speaking after the event, Town Team Chairman Brian Nerney and Chamber President Bodo Funke both expressed their delight at the outcome of the workshop which saw dates and actions applied to the plans.
Both Brian and Bodo praised the close cooperation of both organisations and the ongoing assistance from all the agencies and organisations in the town and county to ensuring orderly development of the town.
Representatives of Roscommon Co Co, Roscommon Integrated Development Company, Brothers of Charity, Roscommon Arts Office, Boyle Family Resource Centre and Roscommon Age Friendly strategy were among the attendance. The following items were discussed:
Boyle Greenway
A funding application has been lodged for €215,000 for the construction of a greenway from the first gate of Rockingham through to the Park. Should the application be successful work will commence on construction immediately.
Age Friendly Town.
The Town Team is working closely with the Chamber and Boyle Age Friendly initative on making the town Roscommon’s first age friendly town. A workshop on the plans will take place on Tuesday 4th in King House.
Courthouse Upgrade
Following the successful application by Boyle Town Team for €62,000 towards phase one of the Courthouse upgrade, the meeting was informed that work is continuing apace to have the courtroom and model railway open for the summer season. Phase two will hopefully see other rooms in the Courthouse renovated for future use.
Town Regeneration
Weekly meetings are continuing between the Town Team and two Council planners who have been seconded to Boyle to undertake a complete regeneration of the town centre, north of the river. Plans include street re balancing, lighting, signage, street side planting, design concepts for future builds in this area and new suggested colour scheme for buildings. It is hoped this public realm enhancement will totally upgrade this area, making it more visually attractive thus opening opportunities for building reuse and increased footfall through enticement for people to live again in the town centre and the opening of new businesses.
Second Gate Lodge
Boyle Chamber of Commerce have been the lead group in plans to have the 2nd gate of Rockingham restored to its former glory. Agreement has been reached with Coillte for a transfer of ownership and a conservation architect has been engaged to assist in plans for its upgrade. It is hoped to have the lodge restored to a high standard for short term holiday letting.
Scattered Hotel
This Town Team idea is being progressed with weekly meetings of its sub committee which is made up of Town Team members. Rooms will be of a 4 star Failte Ireland standard. Expression of interest forms and requests will issue shortly to property owners who wish to become involved. A firm of consultants has been engaged to conduct a feasibility study on the project with a view to having rooms ready for occupancy in 2018.
Street Art Project
A pilot project will commence shortly on a street art project at the rear of Bridge St close to where the Enterprise Centre is located. This will involve younger people in the town having an opportunity to participate in an art project to place a mural on the walls along the street scape. Should this pilot project be a success, funding will be sought to roll the street art idea out to other back street areas of the town.
Train the Ambassador
Plans are in place for a series of training days for front line tourism staff, in all that Boyle has to offer. Una Bhan Tourism are organising this on behalf of the Town Team and Chamber of Commerce. Businesses will be asked to nominate staff who will be brought on familiarisation tours of all the facilities in Boyle i.e. Abbey, Dolmen, King House, Model Railway, bars, restaurants etc. so they can offer advice to tourists on what there is to do in Boyle.
Calisthenics Gym
Members of the Town Team are working on the establishment of a Calisthenics outdoor gym for the Pleasure Grounds area. It will compliment to existing outdoor gym and with the addition of public lighting and a general clean-up of that area, it is then planned to organise outdoor supervised classes for young and old.
In conclusion both Brian and Bodo thanked all for their input and participation.
In particular both men were high in praise for the assistance and interest currently being shown by Roscommon County Council and the various agencies in developing Boyle and assisting in its growth. Everyone in attendance shared the excitement of what the future holds for Boyle.
