THE County Manager has confirmed negotiations are now at an 'advanced stage' to sell off the old leisure centre at High Road in Letterkenny.

Speaking at Monday meeting of the Town Council Mr Michael McLoone said the Town Council was now at an advanced stage of negotiations with the Courts Service for use as a courthouse. Valuations are taking place between the parties in an effort to agree a price.

The County Manager was responding to a call from Councillor Dessie Larkin at the meeting where he asked for an update on all lands owned in the Town Council area and plans for such holdings. Cllr Larkin said it was vital that the sale of any such assets were used for the benefit of the people of Letterkenny.

The County Manager outlined the lands owned and the plans they had earmarked. He said the old council offices known as Murrac-A-Boo standing on half an acre were to be developed as a civic building beside An Grianán Theatre and the new Regional Arts Centre.

ECO FRIENDLY HOUSING

Mr McLoone said the Council owns an acre of land at Lismonaghan which has been earmarked for voluntary housing. There are plans for 15 houses in the Long Lane area as part of an 'eco friendly' housing project using the latest energy efficiencies and renewables.

Mr McLoone said there were no plans yet for the strategic lands at Hawthorn Heights while over 30 acres of land on the Neil T Blaney Road had been 'ring fenced' by the council for use as a flagship tourism project.

Mr McLoone said the old reservoir site Glencar has been sold to facilitate the development of the new sports complex.