9 July 1997
by Deirdre Kelly
The future of the £4 million Westport all-weather leisure facility, heritage centre and tourist office on James Street is looking more secure.
The councillor who originally opposed the Ireland West Tourism heritage centre plans says he will not be filing an appeal to An Bord Pleanala against a decision to give the project the go ahead.
Funding for the leisure centre was in jeopardy if the heritage centre proposal were rejected.
Mr Patrick Durcan had cited interference with a listed building and traffic problems as his main concerns about the project.
However he told the July monthly meeting of Westport urban council that he wished to make it clear he did not intend to file an appeal against the decision.
It was a wrong decision, he said, and would be regretted in time.
"But the issue has been decided. I have not and will not be involving myself in any appeal should one be filed," he said.
As a public representative he had expressed his views fully. "If I went to adopt another stance it would involve me resigning my seat and taking a step I am not going to do."
He would not file an appeal himself and would not be supporting any other group who might file an appeal.
Mr Sean Staunton said Mr Durcan's decision was appreciated.
