This article is from page 83 of the 2008-07-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 83 JPG
A RESIDENT in Shannon is oppos- ing plans to demolish a local com- munity hall. People living in the Drumgeely area of the town want to see their local hall, Park Hall, demolished and another one built to replace it.
They say that the hall has become derelict and has become a haven for anti-social behaviour in its existing State.
The hall has not been used for a considerable length of time and they say that it is of no benefit to any- body.
However, resident Terry Kelly, who has lived in Corrib Drive for more
than 20 years, is opposed to this and wants the existing hall redeveloped.
“It doesn’t make sense to me to have it demolished and to have noth- ing put in its place. My intention is to fight for something in this area,” he said.
“Corrib Drive would be one of the early areas in Shannon. To me there is a greater need now for community development as people are getting old and can’t travel too far from their homes,” he added.
Fine Gael Town Councillor Sean McLoughlin raised a query on the matter at a meeting of the Shannon electoral area committee last month.
“It is an anti-social attraction. If it is derelict, it should be knocked and
identify a more suitable site for a community hall for meeting rooms. It is needed. There is no point in hav- ing it there if it is beyond repair,” he said, at the time.
He was told, in a written response from Senior Executive Officer Michael McNamara, that several years ago, Shannon Development had agreed arrangements for the lease of the hall to Shannon Youth Service Sonia
‘The council has had no input into the operation of the facility since the transfer of the town and does not re- ceive a rent in relation to the prop- erty,’ he said.
He pointed out the council will meet with representatives of the
committee responsible for the hall, “to ascertain current status and seek to address any relevant issues.”
Cllr McLoughlin told