This article is from page 28 of the 2008-03-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 28 JPG
SCHOOL management at Ennis CBS Bunscoil, say the cost of using the Fairgreen means the school will have to cut back it’s physical activity joyueycau-beavea en
In a letter to Ennis Town Council, school principal Br Liam de Rdiste, Chairperson of the Board of Manage- ment Michael Gallagher and Chair- person of the Parent’s Association Jim McMahon, state that the charge imposed by the council for using the facility, is creating a serious financial burden on the school.
In 2006 the council approved a new rate paying system of €15 for a two hour slot in Tim Smythe Park, for clubs and sporting organisations, de-
spite calls for a special dispensation to be given to the school.
In the letter, school management express their disappointment that the council is continuing to charge for the use of the Fairgreen and has described the €750 bill the school has received for 100 hours usage as mo eles waste le ian
“We believe in the present climate of financial constraints on schools, that our request for special consider- ation (free usage) to continue to offer a comprehensive sports programme was both reasonable and deserving. We are disappointed that Ennis Town Council seemingly felt otherwise.
“We would humbly request that En- nis Town Council would reconsider its decision or at least assist us in
some way to continue our sporting programme, bearing in mind that we are a non-profit making organisation Surviving on the meagre finances re- ceived from the Department of Edu- cation and Science”.
The letter acknowledges the coun- cil’s ongoing efforts to provide sport- ing and recreational facilities in En- ah
“In an age of computer technology itis crucial that the youth of our town have facilities 1n which they can ac- tively participate in sporting and out- door activities. Ennis Town Council has been to the fore in providing these facilities.”
However, management say that un- der the present financial situation, the school will have to review its sports
programme.
“We would, with modesty, say that we have contributed in no small way to the development of this town and beyond. We have been able to do this because we have had the use of the excellent Fairgreen facility to com- pliment our pitch. However, due to your decision, we will now have to review our monetary constraints”.
Speaking at Thursday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council. Mayor Tommy Brennan said that the flat rate system had been introduced in the interests of fairness and all users.
He said “It was a small bit of money and we agreed on it at the time. If it is free for the CBS then it has to be free for every other school, and sports club in Ennis”