Plans to build Letterkenny’s first ‘changing places’ public toilet have been put on hold following the sale of Letterkenny Retail Park.
The shopping complex changed hands this summer when Investcorp, a major investment firm based in Bahrain, acquired the property from former owners Alanis Capital.
In the heart of the retail park is a site designated for a public toilet block, to include a fully accessible toilet for people with complex disabilities.
The development has been a long-standing campaign of local councillor Jimmy Kavanagh.
While it was hoped that the facility would be constructed and opened by spring 24, Cllr Kavanagh was informed this week that there are delays with the provision of the lease agreement with the new retail park owners.
Donegal County Council said it is “making every effort to expedite this process”.
Cllr Kavanagh has welcomed the update, commenting: “I am happy that this is a delay rather than anything else.
“The project is still on track as far as I’m aware, I’m hoping it will be back on track soon and I’ll be following up on it.”
A Changing Places facility is designed for use by people with disabilities that require the help of up to two carers, with extra space and facilities to allow them to use the toilet in a dignified way.
The Letterkenny project was granted €55,000 from the disability participation and awareness fund and a further €16,000 was secured from the minor tourism fund.
Cllr Kavanagh said there is an urgent need for facilities in this area of town: “The lack of toilets here has always been a problem. I would be hopeful that the new owners would see that the place has been crying out for toilets since the day it was opened, not just a Changing Places toilet – disabled and regular toilets too.”
Construction works started earlier this year on the new public convenience facilities at Letterkenny Retail Park, Paddy Harte Road