Another try to get arts centre in former library

FRESH efforts to secure a suitable town centre venue for arts groups in Tuam have begun with a call for Galway County Council to make the former library building available to the community.[private] Cllr Imelda Kelly raised the matter at the May meeting of Tuam Town Council where she said local group Earwig! had approached her seeking the council's support for their efforts to occupy the old library building in the weeks leading up to and during the annual Tuam Arts Festival in August. 'I have forwarded the letter from Earwig! to Director of Service, Corporate and Cultural Affairs Kevin Kelly and I am asking the Town Council to support this application,' she said. 'To have it in use would help preserve the building which is already becoming derelict and the town has been looking for a centrally located arts venue for a long time.' Last summer the County Council rejected proposals to have a festival box office at the building along with a tourist information point for the duration of the festival. However, it is hoped this year's request will be viewed more favourably, given the effects funding cuts have had on the arts group.[/private]