Lees Road charges come in for criticism

THE current system of charges at Lees Road was the target of some criticism at Monday’s Ennis Town Council meeting.

Councillor Paul O’Shea put forward a motion asking that the council “amend the bylaws with regard to the charging of fees for the cross-country track at Lees Road.”

A number of representatives of local athletics clubs were in attendance and Councillor O’Shea said a “contentious issue” exists regarding charging for the cross-country track.

Councillor Johnny Flynn seconded the motion and said it was impossible to police an unfenced area, while he said there is a sense of unfairness about the current situation.

His fellow Fine Gael councillor, Mary Howard, said it is an important issue, as she claimed many children are not getting the required amount of physical activity.

Councillor Frankie Neylon said a meeting had been held on the subject at the Auburn Lodge Hotel and that the only problem he had heard at it was that certain people weren’t being charged. “The clubs feel that because they are labelled clubs they are being charged.”

He said the motion would be more appropriate at next month’s budget meeting.

“There has to be a ­reasonable charge. I wouldn’t like to see it closing for two or three days a week because of finances,” he added.

Councillor Neylon also said that while there has been a huge expansion of sporting facilities in Ennis, they do need to be paid for.

He said the facility has to be properly managed and run professionally. He called on the town manager to look at the charges in place.

Green Party Councillor Brian Meaney said he would like to have the manager of Lees Road at a council meeting, to give a presentation on the matter.

The meeting was told by the council executive that even if there was desire to change the charging regime immediately, it was not procedurally possible.

It was stated that there is a need to obtain a certain amount of income from the facility and it wasn’t sustainable to offer it as a free service.

Summing up, Councillor O’Shea said the issue does need to be tackled.

He said those who are paying for the facility are being obstructed by those who aren’t. “It’s victimisation. I don’t use the word victimisation lightly but that’s what’s happening here,” he said.