Local residents opposed to football pitch in Mayo town
Cllr Michael Kilcoyne said residents were opposed to the pitch.
A Castlebar councillor has called for a basic football pitch to be installed in the town park to accommodate groups of young people who do not engage with local clubs.
Cllr Harry Barrett told last week's meeting there was a need for such a facility.
“I have been a teacher in the town for 27 years and in that time I have seen a withdrawal of participation in a certain group in the town. In it I see a lack of physicality and ability to engage in clubs. There is an obesity situation within a certain cohort. I don’t know why it is these kids don’t join the local clubs or, in some cases, know where they are even located. I think we need to address this.
“In our own park we have approximately five acres unused and I think it would provide a very simple solution for these kids."
Cllr Ger Deere said he had asked for a feasibility study on this already, adding: “I wasn’t asking for a Milebush or MacHale Park, just a regular football pitch. Every housing estate in town has a green space and the town park is a fabulous amenity but it is not being used enough."
Cllr Mchael Kilcoyne said: “There was a commitment given to residents of Rowan Drive that no football pitch would be put in there when the town park was being built. I have had at least seven to eight people contact me from around there who under no circumstances want a football pitch there for fear it will bring additional traffic and other anti-social incidents. So if this proposal is carried then I propose we invite residents association members to a meeting to hear what they have to say, as they have to live there.”
Cllr Blackie Gavin agreed with Cllr Kilcoyne, adding: “The town park was developed as part of the sale of local authority houses in this town and the money was invested back into the town park and it was agreed with residents we would put pathways into the estates; a skateboard park was also agreed in the plan at the time.”
Cllr Deere noted: “There were objections to that, that is why it didn’t go ahead.”
Cllr Gavin continued: “Yes, but at no stage did residents want a football pitch."
It was agreed that members meet with the Head of Castlebar MD, David Mellett, to flesh out a proposal and hold talks with residents.
