This article is from page 65 of the 2011-06-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 65 JPG
KILRUSH Town Council is to spearhead the development of top-class sports facilities in the heart of the west Clare capital after months of negotiations at securing a key site in the town were brought to a successful conclusion in the past week.
Kilrush Town Manager, Nora Kaye, has revealed that facilities encompassing a flood-lit astro-turf pitch and a number of full size playing pitches are earmarked for the site on the Cooraclare Road.
And, FAI chief executive John Delaney is set to launch the project plan for the new sports facilities when he visits Kilrush on July 12 next when Clare plays host to the FAI annual general meeting first the first time.
The development will be driven by the Town Council in partnership with Clare County Council and sporting organisations in Kilrush and has been made possible after agreement on a lease has been secured with the owners.
“For over 12 months we have been in negotiations with the ESB and Department of Education,” revealed Ms Kaye, “and we have reached agreement on the lease of lands and now hope to have plans drawn up for an astro-turf pitch and a number of other pitches. It is a very positive move”.
“We had a lot of red-tape to get through and we have been working on this for a long time,” said Town Clerk John Corry, “as we needed to convince both owners of the land.
“Now with agreement reached we are in a position to draw up plans. There is no cost to drawing up plans and then when funding becomes available we have plans in place to avail of funding and go ahead with the project,” he added.
“Unless there is grant aid, it won’t be happening,” warned Mayor of Kilrush Liam Williams, “but by having plans in places we’re told that we’ll be in a position to avail of funding”.
“We have met with sporting bodies in Kilrush,” revealed John Corry “and spoke to them about what their priorities would be.
“Now we will draw up a draft plan and go through planning and hopefully that will take place soon. We will drive the project but when it’s completed it will be managed by a working group”.
“It’s the chance of a lifetime for sport in Kilrush,” said Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF).