POINTING THE WAY FORWARD FOR MITCHELSTOWN
Representatives from social and sporting groups gathered on Monday night last at The Firgrove Hotel for a two hour public meeting hosted by Mitchelstown Forum to discuss local community facilities and amenities.
SUTTONS COURT
Among the items discussed, the new library set for Sutton’s Court was of particular interest. With the library scheduled to open by September on the ground floor, the question was raised if the whole floor would be used as a library or just part.
Cllr Kevin O’Keeffe answered, “I think it is the full floor”, but added that he would find out. Questions were also raised on the old library location at Forrest Hall which is up for sale.
The ‘Rancher’, Timmy White asked Cllr O’Keefe if Cork County Council would consider, “renting it out to the boxing club, rather than the venue over the public house, which they are using currently.”
Cllr O’Keeffe answered, “There would be health and safety issues involved,” but added that they would be, “open to a proposal” from the boxing club.
O'CONNELL PARK
Work is continuing at O’Connell Park with the field being stripped, re-levelled and re-seeded. It is envisaged there will be a facility for two good playing pitches for the town by next year. There is planning for dressing rooms but no funding at the moment.
CANON'S FIELD DEVELOPMENT
The chairman, Ben Lynch reported; “We had a positive meeting with the Cork Local Sports Partnership. It will take three months to prepare plans, and we hope to have planning permission by the end of the year, with construction commencing next year.”
YOUTH CENTRE
The youth of the town were well represented at the meeting with many teenagers in attendance.
Ailbe Coleman of Mitchelstown Youth Cafe committee told the meeting, “In our current location the running costs are €900 per month. This money should be used to further develop the youths, not to benefit the facility owner. Future progress of the youth centre is dependant on whether or not we can secure a space in the canon’s field development.”
Ben Lynch told Mr Coleman that the topic was not up for discussion at the meeting but that he would speak with him afterwards if required. Other items discussed included the dumping of litter in the town and on the perimeters.
Kay Dawson of AROMA said, “The community is doing great but I am disheartened to see that we have gone back to a one man litter picking machine to clean the town.”
Willie Ahern of Mitchelstown Scouts told the meeting, “We have people on the waiting list to join but we don’t have the capacity to hold them”, while Cllr O’Keeffe said he would get an update on the €100k allocated to the town for the provision of information panels.
Published:
Thursday 20th May 6:52pm
