PEOPLE in Ennis are being urged to get active as a new brand for the promotion of sports, leisure and recreation facilities in the town was launched this week.
The new Active Ennis brand and website was officially launched on Monday and according to Michael Byrne of Acton BV website developers, the www.activeennis.ie site is already proving to be a success with more than 1690 visitors to the site in the past month.
He explained that the website, with details of six facilities under the Active Ennis brand, not only provides information but also acts as a promotional tool. Speaking at the launch he said, “It’s a real thrill to be a part of trying to tell people what’s out there, here in Ennis.”
Mayor of Ennis Mary Coote-Ryan joined community representatives and members and officials of Clare Local Authorities at the launch of the Active Ennis brand and website.
All facilities managed by Active Ennis are owned and developed by Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council. The Active Ennis team is responsible for the operation of the newly renamed Active Ennis Sports and Amenity Park (Lees Road), Active Ennis Leisure Complex, Active Ennis Tim Smythe Park, Active Ennis Pitch (Coote Park), Active Ennis Pitch (Glenina) and Active Ennis All Weather Pitch (Cloughleigh).
Councillor Coote-Ryan said, “The town of Ennis provides a wide choice of top class sports and leisure amenities for members of the public to enjoy.
“From wooded walks, parks and playgrounds to indoor and outdoor gyms, running tracks and a 25m swimming pool, Ennis now boasts an integrated network of facilities to meet the needs of the entire community. I wish the Active Ennis team the very best in the future.”
Mayor of Clare Joe Arkins added that the new brand and website marks a “significant contribution” to the county council’s Sports and Physical Recreation Strategy. “Through this people in the local community, visitors and organisations will be better informed of the facilities that are available,” he added.
The Active Ennis team consists of management, fitness and lifeguard instructors and caretaker personnel including Tim Forde (general manager), Abaigeal Healy (administrator), Jackie Coote (duty pool manager), John Carey (duty gym manager) and Richie Murphy (facilities manager).
“Working on behalf of Clare Local Authorities, the primary aim of Active Ennis is the provision of high-quality sports and leisure facilities,” commented Mr Forde.
He continued, “Today represents a landmark moment for us as we renew our efforts to promote existing and new facilities under our stewardship and encourage even greater numbers of people to utilise some of the fantastic recreational outlets right on their doorstep.
“With a committed and experienced team, coupled with the support of Clare Local Authorities, we look forward to implementing positive developments in the months and years to come.”
The launch of Active Ennis follows the official opening of a new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) at Active Ennis Tim Smythe, formerly known as The Fair Green. Soccer, basketball, netball, tennis, hockey, hurling and volleyball are among a wide range of games that can be played on the €45,000 all-weather sports facility.
Active Ennis Tim Smythe Park now features a wide range of sports and leisure amenities including a children’s playground, outdoor gym equipment, teen play area, two playing pitches and one training pitch, a 400-metre running track, MUGA, and perimeter walking paths.
Other Active Ennis facilities include playing pitches (four grass and one all-weather), athletics tracks, skateboard park, woodland walks, playground and an active trail at Lees Road, state of art gym, 25m swimming pool, kiddies swimming pool, saunas, steam rooms, lecture and class halls for classes at the leisurecomplex, a playing pitch, training area and dressing rooms at Coote Park, a playing pitch at Glenina, and a synthetic five-a side pitch and dressing rooms at Gordon Drive in Cloughleigh.
For more visit www.activeennis.ie or contact 065 6821604/info@activeennis.ie.
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.