DONEGAL Youth Service has hinted at expansion plans if it is successful in purchasing the building it is headquartered in.
The Youth Service has occupied the second floor of La Scala House on Letterkenny’s Port Road since 2006. In recent days however the three storey building has been put on the market with a price tag of €375,000.
Built on the site of the old La Scala Cinema, the property consists of two ground floor retail units, Donegal Youth Service and two further units on the top floor.
Following the appearance of a ‘for sale’ sign, there was some concern over Donegal Youth Service’s future on the Port Road. But estate agent Sherry Fitzgerald confirmed this week that as a sitting tenant, the Youth Service will remain in the property post-sale. And Chairperson of the Donegal Youth Service, Frank Dooley, has gone even further by confirming that the support organisation is hoping to purchase the office block.
Mr Dooley told the Donegal News, “Donegal Youth Service is aware that the building we have occupied for ten years is up for sale and we are interested in purchasing it. Should we be successful, we do have plans for the building.”
Donegal Youth Service supports young people across the county through a variety of mechanisms and staff members will be in Dublin this weekend after being shortlisted for the inaugural National Lottery Good Causes Awards.
Frank Dooley said that the building on the Port Road would be an “ideal location” to advance its expansion plans.
“We know it is an ideal location for young people to meet. Should we be successful we would hope to engage with other organisations, voluntary and statutory, with a view to enhancing the well-being, entrepreneurship and social consciousness of young people to make Donegal a better place,” Mr Dooley added.
Donegal Youth Service does look set to face competition in the race to buy La Scala House however. The property has been on the market for a week and according to Kiara Rainey of Sherry Fitzgerald there has already been significant interest from potential investors.
“The property is on the market a week and we have had strong interest in the property to date and offers have been received,” said Ms Rainey.
“The building offers great potential to generate further rental income by letting the vacant units which may be of interest to occupiers who need a presence close to the new court house as this building is within a few hundred yards of the court building.”
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