The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
The plans are in place for the proposed sports campus for Kilrush but, standing in the way of bringing the project to fruition, as has been the case for the past couple of years, is funding.
That was the all-too familiar picture painted at this month’s Kilrush Electoral Area Meeting when it was revealed that application will be made again this year to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for grants under the Sports Capital Programme in the hope of a more favourable response.
Similar applications, made in 2001 and last year were unsuccessful.
Kilrush Town Council and Clare County Council have been pursuing the development of the sports campus on the Cooraclare Road for the past number of years.
Both local authorities identified the site and entered lease agreements with the landowners, the ESB and the Department of Education, for the use of the land for the proposed sports development to include an artificial playing pitch with floodlighting, the development of three grass pitches and dressing rooms.
At the meeting, senior executive engineer, Cyril Feeney pointed out that Kilrush Town Council went to tender on the different proposed elements of this project in October 2011 and both the town and county councils applied for funding under the Sports Capital programme.
“The applications were not successful on either occasion despite having set aside some matching funding for this project and having satisfied all the relevant criteria.
“We are presently awaiting for a call to be made for grant applications for 2013 by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and an application will be made in respect of same, which we very much hope will be successful,” explained Mr Feeney.
Councillor Gabriel Keating said the provision of such a sports facility was needed in Kilrush and he urged the council to redouble their efforts to secure funding.
“Without question it is a sought-after facility particularly in a town the size of Kilrush. The youth need facilities for sport and recreation. Hopefully the council’s perseverance will be rewarded,” he added.
