The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
A PLANNING application has been lodged for the refurbishment of the Drumgeely Neighbourhood Centre, which is the public open space area enclosed by Drumgeely Avenue, Fergus Drive and Allen Park.
A design statement accompanying the application says that it will improve the appearance and increase the vibrancy of the area.
“The purpose of this proposed development is an initiative of the Shannon MD and Clare County Council to upgrade the outdated public realm facility at Drumgeely Neighbourhood Centre.
“This project proposes to revitalise the neighbourhood centre of Drumgeely. It will positively impact vibrancy and ‘outdoor living’ in the community while attracting new customers, business and a night time economy.”
It said that accessibility will be improved by it.
“The public realm at the centre is in poor condition with poor accessibility. This project proposes to redefine the streetscape so that it is accessible to today’s standards, while being safe and attractive to service users.
“The renewal will also provide a high quality communal urban space for residents and build pride in the community.
“The project will see a significant portion of the existing infrastructure removed and new uniform surface finishes installed-creating a new plaza which is universally accessible.
“New seating will be installed with a canopy to support outdoor entertainment, refurbished planters and ambient lighting to bring a modern feel to the realm.”
The statement says that the development can bring more people and business to the area.
“It is anticipated that the renewal will attract more residents and service users to stay longer at the location (eating lunch or accessing other services etc) and visit the centre as a place to congregate, meet and socialise.
“This will increase business opportunity and maximise the potential of the ‘Casual Trading’ space which was recently re-confirmed through the Casual Trading Bye-law review in the Shannon Municipal District.
“It is also expected that the revitalised public realm will provide a stimulus for a revived cultural activity and night time economy for the neighbourhood.”
Among the measures included in the development are:
• Removal of existing walls, flower beds and hard surfaces
• The installation of new level access services including paving, low level vegetation and grass lawn areas.
• The installation of seating areas, benches, a covered canopy area and a bicycle parking stand
• provision of 12 parking spaces, two of them for disabled parking
• construction of a raised flower bed, reusing natural stone from the existing raised grass area.
• provision of public lighting and low level ambient lighting.
Councillor Gerry Flynn said that Town and Village Renewal Funding is making these “valuable” works possible.
“Drumgeely was the original town centre in Shannon, all of the activities were centred there so it’s right and proper we should give it a bit of enhancement.”
He said the public have been quite positive about the works.
“It’s great and it’s being well received by the people, from the response I’m getting anyway. It’s something I’ve been looking for, for a long time.
“I put a proposal up for it and it is happening. I’m delighted with it. A lot of funding coming from the Rural Directorate, it doesn’t suit Shannon, Shannon and Ennis can be excluded from a lot of the funding streams, but this one fitted in nicely. I’m hopeful this will put a bit of vitality into that area.”
Owen Ryan
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked for a number of other regional titles in Limerick, Galway and Cork.
