No details relating to future use of historic Wexford building despite significant spend on restoration
The Mechanic's Institute on Wexford's Main Street.
In June of last year, with major restoration works ongoing, then Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Tom Enright hinted at a new lease of life for the historic Mechanic’s Institute building on the Main Street.
Mr Enright suggested that the building could be used to provide Main Street access to the National Opera House, as well as being utilised for “music education and community purposes”.
However, with the vast majority of the structural work now complete and the hoarding now removed from the Main Street entrance, it seems that there’s been little progress in terms of these plans.
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While an estimated €400,000 spend on the building was listed in the local authority’s latest three-year capital programme, it seems that officials are in the dark as to what the future might hold for the building.
Having sought updates on numerous occasions in the past, Cllr Maura Bell asked “have we any idea what the purpose of the building will be when all the works are completed? Or is this still on a need-to-know basis?”
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Acting Director of Services Shay Howell couldn’t offer much in the way of a response.
"We’re still progressing with some work at the back of the building,” he said. “The remaining work is relatively minor and should finish in early April. What will happen beyond that, I don’t know. I know there were some interested parties, but I haven’t been told what will happen.”
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Bell was both frustrated and disappointed not to have something concrete to bring back to people regarding the landmark building which she says has been the subject of numerous queries.
"It’s like I keep saying,” she said. “It seems to be on a need-to-know basis and right now the officials seem to feel that we, the elected members, don’t need to know.
"I have people asking me about this all the time. Obviously someone knows what the intended use for the building is. It’s a prime location in the middle of town and it could potentially have so many different uses.
"I’m just disappointed with the lack of communication from the council executive on it, because I’m asking about it every month.”
