This article is from page 12 of the 2012-01-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
CLARE County Council is finally set to deliver its verdict this week on whether a move to provide top-class sports amenities for the East Clare catchment of Killaloe and Ballina has the backing of the planning authority.
The Ballina/Killaloe Sports and Development Facilities Development Company is behind plans to develop two new full-size playing pitches, an all-weather pitch, flood-lit training areas, walking and cycling trails, changing and carparking facilities at a site in Moys, Killaloe.
The planning application for the development was lodged on June 15 last.
An original deadline of November 9 last year was set for a final decision date on the proposal.
However, the decision was delayed on foot of a request from the planning authority for further information, which was duly submitted by the applicants on December 22 last.
The Ballina/Killaloe Sports and Development Facilities Development Company plan represents the second major sports-related activity earmarked for Killaloe in the past year.
In May, conditional planning permission was granted for an ambitious club/community project being promoted by Smith O’Briens at its base on Shantraud.
That development includes a new clubhouse, changing rooms, a sports hall, meeting rooms, a hurling wall, an astro-turf pitch and a spectator stand.
A second application was submitted by the club for the development at Shauntraud on December 23 last, with a decision date from the council set for February 25 next.
The Smith O’Briens club initiative is set to be funded by members of the local community themselves.
This will operate through an investors’ draw, whereby one thousand people will pay € 4 a week into the development kitty – a contribution that works out at € 17.33 a month and € 208 over the year.
“For that, we will have a draw every month giving away € 3,700 in cash prizes,” revelaed Tony O’Brien of Smith O’Briens club.
“There will be 20 prizes, ranging from the top prize of € 1,000 to two € 500 prizes, two € 250 prizes, and all the way down to eight € 50 prizes.
“The plan is to develop under the umbrella of the GAA, but it will be a community facility that will be open for everyone,” he added when the club launched its novel fundraising scheme to pay for the development.