THE government may have pledged to save the Sion Mills stables from demolition, but is this what the people of the village want?
The stables have been derelict for 40 years and will cost millions to repair and regenerate. While the historical value may be priceless, could the land and the money not be put to better use in an area that has largely been left behind over the past few years?
The Strabane Chronicle took to the streets of Sion Mills earlier this week to ask what you think the future should hold for the grade B+ listed stables.
Paul Hendron said that in its heyday the stables may indeed have been a fantastic asset to the village, but he believes it is time to move on.
"The building has been lying derelict for decades and I think instead of restoring it, the land could be used to create employment, because that is what Sion Mills needs at the moment. It would be lovely to have such a historic building restored and reopened but it won't make money for the village or the people who live here. I don't want to see Sion's heritage taken away, but we need something that is going to generate money. In my opinion, we need jobs more than we need something that is good to look at," he said.
Michelle McAnea agreed that restoring the stables may not be the best way forward.
"Firstly, they are an eyesore when you come into the village and secondly they are hazard. What I would ask is what would they be used for and who would they benefit if they were restored? We have lost our surgery and our library in recent years and I'm sure the site could be put to better use than stables. I've lived in Sion Mills all my life and I for one would like to see them demolished," Miss McAnea added.
Former chairman of the Sion Mills Community Association Eddie McCrea said that while he wouldn't be opposed to the demolition of the stable building, the village clock should definitely remain.
"Myself and a lot of the villagers worked for years to have the stables regenerated but nothing ever came of it, for one reason or another. The building is in dire condition now but to hear the old village bell inside the clock tower ring out again would be my goal. The building itself is beyond repair and besides, who uses stables anymore? I wouldn't be too worryed if they knocked it down but I would be adamant that the clock remain, mainly because it was the people of the village who paid for it over 100 years ago. Even if the clock was moved to a different site, I wouldn't mind, but it has to be saved," Mr McCrea said.
Stella McCrea said that while she never got to see the stables in their heyday, it would be great if they could be restored, "I would like to see them repaired because I don't see how you could put anything else there without proper parking facilities," said Mrs McCrea.
