CONTRACTS for two Kilrush projects, on which a total of €429,000 will be spent, have been agreed by Kilrush Town Council.
The total cost of phase one of the all weather pitch on the Cooraclare road will be in excess of €309,000, while Cappa playground will cost €120,000.
In a statement Kilrush Town Council, which ceases to operate this week, said that the astro turf contract will be undertaken by Sportslawn Ireland Limited and that it is expected that it will be completed by early July.
Kilrush Town Council has secured a grant of €59,000 under the Sportnation programme, funded jointly by the Department of Transport, Sport and Tourism and Irish Public Bodies. Clare County Council are providing an allocation of €60,000 towards the development with the balance of funding provided by Kilrush Town Council.
It will comprise of an artificial playing surface of 75m x 38m together with CCTV, floodlighting and security fencing.
“It will be a multi purpose shared facility and will be used by a variety of sports clubs including soccer, GAA, ladies football, rugby and will also be used by the schools. Currently there is no such facility in Kilrush and the benefits of this facility include: increasing participation from existing clubs, expanding clubs to develop additional teams, promoting the usage for champions/high performers, all of which will lead to increased competitiveness and enhanced performance,” the Kilrush Town Council statement added.
The synthetic pitch will be 2,850m squared, surrounded by a 9m high fence consisting of wisha board, ball stop netting and mesh panelling. Surrounding this will be a 1.2m wide concrete footpath. The surface of the pitch is to be third generation carpet monofilament with a perforated sectioned Shock Pad on the dynamic base to meet FIFA two standard. This will be the only surface of its kind within the county.
Meanwhile, the Cappa playground project will involve the installation of new equipment to facilitate children aged 18 months to 16 years. Crawford Group, who successfully tendered for the contract, are contracted to design, supply, deliver, install and commission the facility.
“Works will include the supply and fit of all equipment including associated ground works, installation of new soft surfaces and provision of security fencing. It is hoped that the facility will provide a safe and friendly recreational environment within Kilrush that will embrace the world of play and encourage childhood development,” the Kilrush Town Council statement said.
“The facility design has ensured that play equipment has been chosen to encourage use for children of all levels of abilities and where possible the play equipment has been designed to be accessible to children with disabilities,” the council added.
Kilrush Town Council secured a grant of €20,000 from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs towards the development with the balance of funding being provided by the town council. It is anticipated that the project will be complete by August.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.