Funding in the region of €5m required to provide additional sporting facilities at Cleveragh

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

The creation of additional sporting facilities at Cleveragh Regional Park will be in the region of €4 to €5 million.

The figure was revealed at a meeting of the Borough District of Sligo where the County Council was praised for the proactive manner in which it had sought additional funding for the project.

In a motion before the meeting, Cllr Declan Bree asked, “When is it envisaged that the Council will seek funding for the additional facilities planned for Cleveragh Regional Park, including the Adventure Play area; Nature Play Area; Learn to Cycle Facility; Skate Park; Pump Track; Multi-Use Games Area and Basketball Court; and the estimated cost of the improvements?”

Welcoming the reply he received, Cllr Bree remarked, “I note that Mr Molloy, Director of Services, in reply to my motion indicates that the estimated total cost of delivering all elements of the additional facilities and proposed improvements in the Park will be in the region of €4 to €5 million. And I am pleased to note that our officials have already taken the initiative and submitted an application for initial grant assistance for the Learn to Cycle facility.

“I also note from the reply I have received, that the Department is agreeable to allocate funding of €200,000 to progress the Multi-Use Games Area and Basketball Court in the new year conditional on the Council agreeing to provide €100,000.

“This is all positive news and while it will obviously take time to deliver everything we have planned for in the Park I am extremely pleased to note the proactive role Council management is taking.”

Cllr Bree acknowledged the work played by the Council since the land at Cleveragh was first purchased and reserved a special word of praise for the work carried out by Senior Executive Parks Superintendent, Micheal Condren.

"The park in Cleveragh is an invaluable resource for the people of Sligo and we remain indebted to the Mayor and members of Sligo Corporation who in 1947, a time when money was scarce, had the foresight to purchase the almost 300 acres of the Cleveragh demesne for use as a public park. The area was slowly developed over the decades. Almost twenty years ago the Borough Council agreed a masterplan to develop the park and in the period since then significant facilities have been provided including grass playing pitches, tennis and bowls courts, a jogging track and cycle track, an amphitheatre with seating and barbecue facilities, community gardens, seating etc.

“And I believe we must acknowledge the preeminent role that our Senior Executive Parks Superintendent, Micheal Condren, has played in delivering a public park which is the envy of local authorities nationwide.”

Given his record I have no doubt but that Micheal Condren will continue to leave no stone unturned in terms of exploring and identifying future sources of funding.