The Chairman of the Strokestown Town Team says some discussions had taken place with a view to refurbishing the old Magnet Ballroom as a community amenity in recent years.
The building which had been derelict since the early 2000's was substantially damaged by a fire which broke out on last Saturday evening.
It is in a central strategic location in the town and Shane Lynskey says there had been discussions about trying to repurpose the building and get grant aid of some kind to use it for the community.
He says even though the building has been badly burned there's still some hope something could be developed there, and that the old art-deco style frontage could be retained.
'There were some negotiations with the local authority about that and it was hoped that something could be done as part of the current town centre plan.
Maybe something can happen yet , because the building had been in a derelict condition for some time
You'd like to see something being developed there to restore it, or find a new use for it, but that the front wall and plastering would be maintained, it would augment any new development.'
