This article is from page 24 of the 2011-02-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 24 JPG
NEW byelaws which allow for the introduction of a new € 40 charge to be levied on clubs for the use of facilities at the Lees Road Sports and Amenity Complex were voted through at yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council.
A majority of councillors present voted 5-3 in favour of adopting the council’s new parks and open spaces byelaws on the condition, proposed by Cllr Brian Meaney (GP), that the laws be reviewed within one year.
A counter motion, proposed by Councillor Johnny Flynn (FG) that the byelaws be introduced without the introduction of new charges, was defeated in a separate vote.
In a report, town clerk Eddie Power insisted that the proposed charges will “apply only to organised use by clubs for this area specifically”.
Mr Power along with town manager Ger Dollard and several coun- cillors insisted that the charges will not apply to individual walkers and runners.
The area to be charged for relates to a section of re-developed track that borders woodland at the rear of the facility’s synthetic running track and all weather soccer pitch.
Mr Dollard said that it costs the council almost € 100,000 to maintain Lees Road.
Mr Power defended the charges, describing them as “competitive and not excessive”.
He said they were being introduced in the interests of fairness and consistency as charges were currently in place for other facilities at Lees Road.
However, some councillors expressed opposition to the new charges. Cllr Mary Howard (FG) described them as “retrograde”, saying that groups such as the ladies Meet and Train and the Clare Crusaders who are not organised sports clubs, may be charged under the byelaws.
She said, “It’s as clear as mud to a lot of people. It’s growing legs because its not clear who is being targeted.”
Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) said that a number of athletic clubs were interested in contributing to the cost of new facilities at Lees Road.
He said it was unfair that some clubs could avail of lighting for free at Lees Road while other clubs paid for it.