Over 100 asylum had been staying in tented accommodation in the town last year.
The Department of Integration says there are no plans to house refugees in 'pod-style accommodation' in a midlands town.
Over 100 asylum seekers had been staying in tents in Athlone up until last December, before being moved to more suitable International Protection Accommodation.
But, the Department has confirmed there are currently no plans to use the site again.
Around 1,200 beds will be lost between now and the end of May when the refugee accommodation contract with hoteliers comes to a close.
Up to 200 Ukrainian refugees will be staying in Columb Barracks in the coming weeks, when 50, four-person 'pod-style' units are brought on-stream.
In a statement to Midlands 103, the Department of Integration says:
"In March the Government agreed a proposal from the Humanitarian Accommodation Working Group established under the Department of the Taoiseach to take forward a 'proof of concept' project for the provision of modular/pod buildings.
Columb Barracks, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath was chosen as an appropriate to deliver the first proof of concept project, which will deliver 50 four-person modular units, with a total capacity of 200, at the site.
Following completion in the weeks ahead, the modular units will accommodate Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection.
There are currently no plans for pod-style accommodation units in the existing IPAS accommodation centre in Athlone."
Read More: Asylum Seekers Moved From Westmeath Tented Accommodation
Biodiversity Week Heralds Celebration Of Midlands "Flora And Fauna"
Offaly Job Fair Has Proven Track Record - Tullamore Chamber Of Commerce
Defence Forces Design Needs To Come Before New HQ Says Tánaiste
Hoped Jobs In Offaly Private Hospital Will Be New
Residents Of Laois IPAS Centre Felt They Weren't Being Listened To
Calls To Establish MIDOC-Like Mental Health Service In Laois
Man Charged In Connection With Midlands GAA Club Break-In
Unsanctioned Modular Homes Removed From Westmeath Village
Woman Living With Colitis - People Who Meet Me Wouldn't Know I Was Ill"
Residents In Westmeath Town Turn Out To Oppose Unsanctioned Modular Homes
Man Hospitalised After 'Serious' Westmeath Assault
Lack Of Accessible Taxis In Laois Leaves Them Unavailable When Needed - Councillor Walsh
New Offaly Hospital To Create Up To 300 New Jobs
Over 1,000 Premises In Westmeath Added To High Speed Broadband Area
Central Location Makes Custume Barracks Ideal For Army HQ - Troy
Man Dies In Midlands Workplace Incident
Calls For An Offaly Train Station To Have Its Own Station Master Again
TUS Honoured For Work On Gender Equality
Laois Candidate Left "Disappointed" After Posters Go Missing
Garda Divisional HQ For Laois Offaly Won't Be Complete Until 2027