Community in Balbriggan deserves better facilities
IRISH VIKINGS IN BID FOR MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS COMPLEX
A COMMUNITY group in Balbriggan has launched a campaign to secure a multi-purpose sports facility in the north Fingal town.
A shared sports facility at the new Ardgillan Community College is about to come on stream but Irish Vikings, an organisation that aims to unite sports and community organisations in the town, say that facility is a 'band-aid' solution. Paula McKenzie of Irish Vikings and Parents Place has written to Fingal County Council on the issue and pointed to the fact that towns with much smaller populations around the county have better facilities than Balbriggan.
'I question why Balbriggan, with its huge population, has no multi-functional indoor facility to cater for the families and young people in the community. We deserve it,' Ms McKenzie said. The community activist told County Manager, David O'Connor: 'Our Balbriggan community would hugely benefit from having a sports facility including basketball courts. 'Based on numbers registered with our club, it is evident this service is essential.'
The letter to the county manager goes on: 'We have had tremendous support from the Balbriggan community,
full however they have expressed their dissatisfaction at a lack of indoor recreational sports amenities in the town.
'Our club held two fun swim days in August and the response was overwhelming. We hired a private bus each day and brought 130 young people and their guardians to Sportslink Santry.'
Ms McKenzie added: 'I feel it is important to note, the funds we raised to hold this event went into paying outside sources like Dublin Bus and SportsLink, when it would be more beneficial to circulate these funds back into our community if there was a facility available, thus creating employment.'
She told the county manager: 'Balbriggan unemployment has risen by 125% over the year which is a staggering increase, based on these figures, I believe it is now a matter of urgency that we provide a recreational sports facility to the people in our community.'
The letter concludes: 'I now call you, our Government representatives to recognise the urgency in providing an indoor recreational sports facility to accommodate the increase in unemployment, population growth, cultural diversity and demand, including the need to distribute any funds to non conventional sports in Ireland.'
- John MANNING
