Tag Archives: Tim Forde

A sledgehammer is believed to have been used in suspected vandalism at John O’Sullivan Park (Lee’s Road) and calls are now being made for the introduction of CCTV cameras in the popular park. Councillor Mary Howard told a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District that “over the past number of weeks there has been evidence of vandalism on the walking trails.” “Since May there has been evidence of young trees, saplings and branches being broken on a walkway locally called Bluebell Alley, there was also evidence of large rocks being both smashed and removed from the trail. This is creating a very dangerous ground surface for trips and falls. This destruction was not witnessed but it would appear to have been done after the park closed at night time as the trail is well used by walkers and runners throughout the day.” She said the damage to the rocks appears to have been caused by a sledgehammer, adding that the holes left …

Facilities at the Active Ennis Leisure Complex are set to undergo a significant upgrade. The swimming pool at the Highfield Road complex will close to the public from this Friday until Monday, October 17 inclusive to facilitate the €192,000 project which includes energy efficiency upgrades, enhanced disabled access, and improvements to the changing room and toilet facilities. The works are funded under the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport’s ‘Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme’ with Clare County Council contributing 15% of the overall cost. Tim Forde, General Manager of Active Ennis said the works represent the first phase in a series of additions and improvements at Active Ennis facilities. He added, “Over the coming months, the gymnasium at the Leisure Complex will be fully refurbished while a new AstroTurf facility will be developed on the site of the existing one in Active Ennis Sports and Amenity Park Lees Road.” “During the course of current improvement works at the Leisure Complex, …

Active Ennis Leisure Complex has today (Friday) been presented with its 14th White Flag Award. The prestigious awards scheme, which is coordinated by Ireland Active and endorsed by Fáilte Ireland and the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), is the only comprehensive quality and excellence award for Irish health and leisure facilities. Ennis Leisure Complex is the only facility in Clare to have received the White Flag every year since the award scheme’s inception in 2001. The White Flag Award was presented to Tim Forde, Active Ennis general manager, by Mayor of Ennis, Johnny Flynn and Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, John Crowe. Mr Forde said, “The staff are immensely proud to have achieved the benchmark for highest standards within the health and leisure industry. They regard this success as a vote of confidence in the range and quality of services provided at Ennis Leisure Complex, including the 25-metre public swimming pool, state-of-the-art gymnasium, and various training and fitness programmes.” He added, …

The countdown has begun to the Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship, which takes place at Active Ennis Tim Smyth Park in Ennis on Sunday, January 4. All proceeds raised by the fourth annual event will go towards ISPCC Childline. The championship, which is based on age-old lumberjack traditions and is commonplace across Germany and Austria, will see members of the public competing to achieve the longest distance for throwing a standard 1.5 metre tree. John O’Dea from Limerick and Gary O’Growney from Dublin share the Irish record having both thrown their trees a distance of 10.2 metres, which is just under 2 metres short of the World Record currently held by Klaus Pubnaz, who hurled a tree a distance of 12 metres at an event in Germany four years ago. Last year’s U-12 section was won by Soran Drayas (9.2m), who finished ahead of second placed Aoife O’Gara (7.86 m). This year’s winner will once again receive the Irish Christmas …