This article is from page 28 of the 2008-02-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 28 JPG
THE Shannon town manager is to recommend the provision of €50,000 in funding towards a major develop- ment of the town’s leisure centre, which will include the creation of a skateboard area and floodlit tennis court.
Ger Dollard said he would be sug- gesting this figure, after management at Shannon Swimming and Leisure Centre wrote to the local authority, seeking funding for a major renova- tion of the town’s leisure centre.
In the letter, Chairperson of the
centre, Martina Kennedy-Clancy pointed out that when completed, the outdoor facility will include a flood- lit fenced outdoor tennis court.
She said that the possibility of a skateboard area was also being actively considered. “The approxi- mate cost of this particular part of the project 1s €75,000,” stated Ms Kennedy-Clancy.
She pointed out that 15 people are permanently employed at the centre and every effort would be made to ensure it remains open during the renovation period.
“This approach would involve the
centre in additional financial ex- penditure and we are currently ex- amining how best to meet the addi- tional cost, which will be in excess of €250,000,” she added.
Councillor Patricia McCarthy (In- dependent) said that more than €1 million has been raised, for the ma- jor development.
Cllr Gerry Flynn said it would only be “right and proper” that the town council would financially support the renovations.
Councillors, in general, supported the calls for the financial support and said they would like to see copies of
the plans for the development.
Cllr Sean Hillery (FF) said, “The council should come up trumps. This is a Service for the community, being provided by a private company.”
Mr Dollard pointed out that over the past few years, money had been set aside for community initiatives. €100,000 had accumulated and he said he would be suggesting that €50,000 of this be considered for the leisure centre.
‘The idea of a skatepark is an ex- cellent idea. If we can get a skatepark out of this, I think it would be hugely successful,’ said Mr Dollard.