Meath district set to get new community centre under revised plans
Residents of Laytown and Bettystown in Meath could soon benefit from a new community centre and public park, following updated plans presented at a recent meeting.
At the January meeting of the Laytown-Bettystown Municipal District, councillors were presented a design plan for the public park that includes a building for community use.
The proposed plan features a multipurpose basketball and badminton court, two large multi-functional rooms, changing facilities and storage rooms, a café overlooking the new park, a staff meeting room, and additional multi-functioning rooms on the first floor.
Councillors were also shown a visual image of the facility, although it may be subject to change.
Speaking afterwards, Sinn Féin councillor Maria White said: “Laytown is growing in population. A community centre and park will be a place for members of the community both young and old to come together. This facility will be used by individuals, groups and organisations.”
She added that the construction timeline will depend on funding, which cannot commence until the planning application is approved.
“A community centre is at the heart of a community. It is time Laytown is provided with this service to help support our ever-growing community. I will keep the pressure on Meath County Council until this project is completed and the residents of our community can avail of this building and park,” Cllr White said.
The plan for a new park was first presented last June for the six-acre site Meath County Council purchased on Tara Road. It did not include a community centre.
Fine Gael councillor Sharon Tolan welcomed the revised plan, saying that it now includes a 22,550 sq ft community centre.
“At the time, I was not happy that this did not include a new community centre. The site was purchased in order to provide East Meath with a community centre. There are times for digging your heels in and this was one,” she said.
She had asked the design team to ensure the centre includes a full Changing Places disability toilet and changing facilities.
“There are still some details to iron out, and I will be working with the team to ensure the best facility possible is delivered. There is no funding currently available for the construction yet, but again, that’s something we will be working on,” she said.
The Part 8 planning application is expected to go on public display around February or March.