Kilrush council applies for sports complex funding

KILRUSH Town Council has recently applied for grant funding under the 2012 Sports Capital Grant Scheme with a view to progressing with the proposed sports complex on the Cooraclare Road in the town. However, it will be several months before any feedback is forthcoming regarding the success of the grant application.
The matter was raised at last week’s meeting of Kilrush Town Council by town Mayor Ian Lynch, who asked that the town council call a public meeting to update local people on the status of the project.
“I wish to confirm that two applications for grant funding under the 2012 Sports Capital Grant Scheme, for proposed works on the Cooraclare Road Sports Project, have been made recently by both Kilrush Town Council and by Clare County Council,” Kilrush Town Clerk John Corry replied.
“As part of this process, we sought letters of support from the various sporting organisations, who would be utilising this facility and we explained to each such sporting group that we were submitting these grant applications. We are not expecting any feedback on the success of these grant applications from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for the next few months. I would agree that as soon as we have been informed of the status of these grant applications that all interested parties in the proposed development could be updated,” the town clerk added.
Councillor Lynch also suggested a committee be established to operate the proposed complex.
“Regarding a management committee for the proposed development, same has been specifically provided for and agreed as part of the lease agreements entered into on behalf of both the Department of Education and the ESB,” Mr Corry said.
“The management committee will be made up of the two representatives nominated by their respective bodies: ESB Moneypoint, Kilrush Community School, Clare County Council and Kilrush Town Council, while Clare Sports Partnership will have one nominee on the management committee.
A chairperson, secretary and treasurer will be elected by the representatives and they shall serve for a term of one year from date of appointment. Representatives will remain in office for a term of five years from date of appointment. All representatives expect the representative from Clare Sports Partnership will have an equal vote and any motion will be carried by a majority vote and the management committee will sit once every quarter.
In November 2011, plans to develop the sports complex were put on hold due to a lack of funding.
However, Nora Kaye, Clare County Council, told the bi-monthly meeting (November 2011) of West Clare’s six county councillors she had met with Leader to discuss a possible application for funding in 2012 if money wasn’t forthcoming from other sources.
The June 2011 meeting of Kilrush Town Council heard that the proposed facilities were to include AstroTurf pitches on the grounds of Kilrush Community School and playing pitches across the road in what is known as the Christian Brothers’ Field. The local GAA, rugby and soccer clubs had been consulted, the meeting heard, while a playground and skate board park may also form part of the proposed sports park at the ESB Moneypoint sports facilities.