Rescue package for Clare attractions

CLARE COUNTY Council is to propose today a multi-annual “rescue package” for Glor music centre and a host of other loss-making leisure attractions that attract an aggregate 500,000 visitors each year.

In a report to be put before Clare’s 32 councillors, council director Bernadette Kinsella is proposing an annual funding scheme for Glor, Lahinch Seaworld, Kilkee Waterworld, Shannon Swimming and Leisure Centre along with the Vandeleur Walled Garden and Visitor Centre in Kilrush.

In return for financial support, the attractions are to submit a multi-annual plan and provide annual accounts to the council and also impose a condition that the council be represented at executive and elected-member level on the board of each facility.

In her report, Ms Kinsella states: “A number of the facilities have been existing in a precarious situation . . . currently, none of the trading facilities operate on a break-even basis. Given the current economic climate, it is unlikely that this situation will change in the medium term.”