New community hub with preschool and pitch planned for Galway city as resource centre nears capacity
A planning application has been lodged for a new community centre in Galway city that would address capacity pressures at the Ardaun Roscam Doughiska Family Resource Centre (ARD FRC).
The DRA community development company submitted plans to Galway City Council last week to develop 1.57 hectares of land adjacent to the resource centre, Galway City Councillor Alan Cheevers confirmed.
While the full planning documents have yet to be published, the statutory notice was advertised in the Galway City Tribune.
The proposed development includes a two-storey community centre featuring sports halls, multi-purpose rooms, meeting spaces, and ancillary accommodation such as plant rooms and circulation areas. An all-weather, floodlit playing pitch is also included in the plans.
To meet local demand for early years provision, a five-classroom preschool is also proposed, along with associated facilities.
The Irish Independent visited the site this June along with Cllr Cheevers, who outlined the details of the proposed project.
During the site visit, Galway City councillor Alan Cheevers said the project will serve as a “huge catchment area” which includes three neighbourhoods.
The project is expected to cost between €6 and 8 million and could take up to three years to complete, subject to approval.
Cllr Cheevers foresees funding being allocated from a combination of Government sources, including the Sports Capital Programme, as well as philanthropic contributions. However, Cllr Cheevers said he is “not worried about funding” given the level of need in the area.
The existing family resource centre is operating close to capacity, with high demand for room bookings and scheduled activities. Those involved say this reflects the centre’s success rather than a shortfall in provision.
Cllr Cheevers said that the new facility would ease pressure on the current centre while allowing for more integrated use of shared spaces across both sites. The new development is intended to link directly with the existing resource centre.
The proposed site is currently fenced off and overgrown, located across from a Lidl store and the 409 bus stop, a service which runs frequently to Galway city centre. It shares a boundary with the Doughiska skate park which recently won the Irish Construction Excellence award for the recent €400,000 renovation done last year.
The full display of the development plans are in the lobby of the ARD family resource centre.
The halls of the existing ARD family resource centre once hotel.
One room of many used for the facilitation of activities in the existing family resource centre.
The location has been described as strategically important, positioned between several heavily used community facilities. The ARD FRC currently hosts The Neighbourhood Café, family support services, sports and health groups, after-school programmes, and Foroige activities.
Whether or not the development will get the green light isn’t what worries Cllr Cheevers, he told the Irish Independent, but he raised concerns over traffic which remains a core issue as the Doughiska area expands with projects like this one.
Galway City Council has identified Doughiska as a site for regeneration and rezoning discussions as it broadens the land allocations to help boost housing delivery. Additionally, €6 million was recently allocated to the neighbouring Ardaun area in preparation for future housing growth.