Revamped ‘Tech' aims to kick-start new jobs in Dunmore

By SIOBHÃÂN HOLLIMAN [gallery link='file' columns='2' orderby='rand'] THE once derelict vocational school in Dunmore has been transformed over the past year and will soon open as an enterprise and resource centre. The year-long project was undertaken by Enterprise Dunmore, which was first established 20 years ago. It hopes that the renovated school building will become a hub for local job creation and a wide range of community activities. Dunmore Vocational School closed its doors in 1991 and had fallen into disrepair over the years until it was leased just over a year ago by Enterprise Dunmore. [private] The old school needed extensive refurbishment works as floors were rotten and the roof was collapsing in places. The development has cost in the region of €280,000 and Galway Rural Development provided a grant of €150,000 for the project. Considerable work has also been carried out through local volunteers and it has proven to be a good project for those working on the local Rural Social Scheme. The remainder of the budget was financed through the funds generated by the sale of the Enterprise Dunmore centre on Bridge Street in the town in 2000. The job-creation group had intended to purchase four acres of land just outside the town and to build an advance factory on the site. However the plan didn't progress as the group found it impossible to secure planning permission for the proposal. Former chairperson of Enterprise Dunmore and local businessman, the late Michael Burke, was one of the key people involved in the early stages of the project. The board is also grateful to former principal at Dunmore Community School and VEC chairman Pat Gilmore who assisted in the leasing of the school. The new centre already has some tenants lined up including Dunmore Credit Union and the Enterprise-Fás office. Co Galway VEC is also taking an IT room, which they will use for the ongoing development of their computer software. The Enterprise Centre has continued to operate out of an office on Bridge Street but the board of directors is looking forward to relocating to the new centre on the Tuam Road. 'The school was in a sad state. This initiative has got rid of an eyesore and replaced it with a modern, refurbished building that will be available to all the community,' explained chairperson Tom Burke, who was overseeing the final coat of paint going on this week. The centre also boasts an eco-friendly air-to-water underfloor heating system, which keeps the building cosy. While three rooms have been allocated Enterprise Dunmore is eager for the remainder of the large building to be used. It's hoped that it will be used for community functions such as First Communions and discussions are also taking place to establish a Meals-on-Wheels service for the local area. 'We're also working with Co Galway VEC on the provision of adult education courses here,' added Tom Burke. School reunion One of the first social functions planned for the renovated building is a school reunion during Dunmore Festival week at the beginning of August. 'We're looking to contact as many past pupils of the vocational school as possible and invite them to the event. We've already invited President Michael D Higgins to officiate at the official opening, so hopefully it will all work out,' added Tom. Three are three members on the Enterprise Dunmore board, Tom Burke, Greg Fallon and Mary Jessop, and its aims remain the same as they were when it was founded in 1992, to help with the generation of local employment. Unfortunately the Celtic Tiger meant there wasn't a huge demand for their services during the boom years and now, in the recession, the group is trying to renew interest and heighten awareness of their services. 'We helped a lot of businesses starting out with drawing up business plans and giving them information and guidelines when they first started up. 'We are interested in hearing from anyone looking for help in starting up a business and can offer them advice and information on a wide range of areas,' explained Tom Burke. People living in Dunmore, like other rural towns, are battling with growing jobless numbers and a rise in young people emigrating to Australia. Enterprise Dunmore is hoping that the new resource centre will be the kick-start for new businesses and that it will be used by all sectors of the community. The board is currently trying to raise funds for the ongoing operational costs of the building and has started a benefactor scheme, whereby those who donate €100 will have their name listed on a special plaque at the main entrance. Anyone interested in more information from Enterprise Dunmore can contact their office on 093-39778. [private]