Ballaghaderreen locals asked for ideas on how to spend €432k fund

Members of the public in the Ballaghaderreen area are being urged to attend a public meeting to discuss how to invest €432,000 in funding raised by the community.

A newly formed committee is seeking ideas from local residents on how to use the substantial sum of money, that was originally raised to build a public swimming pool in the town.

Following ongoing discussions with local and national government for over 10 years, it has been decided that due to the high costs associated with both building a pool and the yearly running costs, the project would not go ahead.

There had been attempts to use the funding to buy or lease the pool block located in the EROC Centre in the town, which was formerly the Abbeyfield Hotel, but unfortunately, these efforts were unsuccessful.

The option for a publicly accessible pool at the EROC Centre is still being pursued by local Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane.

The Ballaghaderreen Pool Fund held its AGM last Monday night, November 13, in the Community Park, where former committee members stepped down and a new committee was formed.

The retiring committee was thanked for its tireless efforts and dedication. An important acknowledgment was also made to the late Brian Kelly, who was involved in the Swimming Pool Fund from the very beginning and who was key to raising the funds and making the investments that have led to the substantial fund available, currently at a total of €432,216. The new committee now has the exciting prospect of finding ways to invest a large amount of money in an amenity or worthy charitable investment that will serve the entire community.

The new chair of the committee Garry Conway said: “We will have to have public meetings to decide what to do with the money, but people need to come, we have to get the numbers at these meetings up. This has to be a whole town decision. This is a good news story. We’re starting with €432,000. Other small towns have created wonderful things for their towns, we can do that too.”

The meetings will be held later this year or in early 2024.