'Astronomical' cost of Athlone lights

The cost of Athlone's Christmas lights has been described as “astronomical” this year after it emerged putting up, powering and taking down the festive illuminations will hit close to €40,000.

The figure was revealed during a recent council meeting as part of a lengthy discussion on the allocations to various groups for Christmas lights this year, far exceeding the town's grant of €22,150.

Director of Services, Barry Kehoe, told members that €60,000 is budgeted for Christmas lights, split evenly between Athlone and Mullingar Municipal Districts, but this year the applications into the council sought almost €70,000.

Mr Kehoe said there is a “significant issue” in Athlone where the erection of the lights, powering and taking them down again is costing closer to €40,000, far more than the €22,150 allocated from the Christmas lights funding distributed by the local authority. The local group had sought €34,000 from the local authority fund.

While the council official conceded Westmeath County Council will “sort it out this year” in relation to the Athlone shortfall, given there are some underspends in other areas, he stressed that members will have to talk about 2022 and come up with solutions because the local authority may not be in a position to do that for a second year.

With over 100 trees between the speed limits in Ballymore, Cllr Vinny McCormack quipped that €350 “wouldn't put a candle in them” and if the council is trying to encourage groups to upgrade lights to LEDs etc, then they need to look at the Christmas light allocations again. If it comes to it, he is of the view that the fund should be separated into money for Athlone and then divide the rest among the remainder because it cannot be as it is now with 90% going to Athlone.

Green Cllr Louise Heavin was in agreement with Cllr McCormack's view that Athlone should be separated from the other applications, and she suggested the council talk to other authorities to see if there can be any collaboration with similar size towns like Roscommon and Tullamore.

Cllr Frankie Keena, who is involved in the Athlone Festival and Events Project group, the group that looks after Athlone's lights, said the cost was “astronomical” and their difficulties this year getting a contractor were well known. He agreed that it had been “down to the wire” to get somebody to do the work and there was a “serious shortfall” this year in terms of the costs.

He reminded members that their group had sourced Leader funding to buy a new LED lights scheme for Athlone and the cabins for Athlone Christmas Market, which was also supported in part with funding from the council and Athlone Chamber. Also involved in groups in Mount Temple and Glasson, he wondered if there is an opportunity for rural groups to come together to get capital funding for Christmas lights or apply to Leader to change the lights to LEDs.

Cllr Tom Farrell said there needs to be a “serious look” at the Christmas lights funding next year because 15 groups this year are only getting €350, while Cllr Aengus O'Rourke commented that they should be talking about this much earlier in the year.

Director of Services, Barry Kehoe, responded by saying the council would love to support rural communities even more, but he reminded councillors that they are limited by the €30,000 budget for Christmas lights, and the solution is to increase the budget in the coming years.

On Athlone, he stressed the importance of the town being well illuminated, acknowledging the efforts of the Athlone Festival and Events Project group amid ongoing costs and increasing standards from the ESB in relation to lights.

“We (the council) do need to provide more money if we want quality lights,” Mr Kehoe admitted, saying that they can look to see if there is any scheme that could help with this, but he said members need to have a serious conversation in terms of the budget set aside for Christmas lights.

As Athlone is the “economic heart” of the district and where the bulk of the rates are coming from, Barry Kehoe pointed out to the members that it's important that businesses in the town get that support and encouragement.