Calls for clarity on money generated by new Enniscorthy astro-pitch – ‘are we banking the funds being taken in?’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Just over six months on from its official opening the new astro-pitch at the Ross Road in Enniscorthy has become one of the most utilised sporting facilities in the county. However, with the pitch being managed by the newly-formed community group, the Wexford Football Alliance (WFA), concerns have been raised regarding the revenue being generated at the site.

Speaking at the September meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal District (EMD) Councillor John O’Rourke asked whether any efforts were being made to access bank statements relating to the pitch.

“This is my fourth or fifth time asking if there’s a spreadsheet available to show the clubs and organisations that are using the pitch,” he said. “Are we banking the funds being taken in and, if so, do we know how much it has generated?”

Keen to stress there was no suggestion of impropriety, Cllr O’Rourke said the pitch had been developed for everyone in the area to use and transparency was of the utmost importance.

“Has a caretaker been officially appointed?” he asked. “Who is looking after it at the moment? Are they being paid for doing it?”

District manager Claire Lawless said that the WFA had been scheduled to deliver bank statements regarding the same to WCC but that nothing had been received yet. Meanwhile, director of services Carolyne Godkin said WCC was supporting the WFA, which was only founded earlier this year, as it continued to manage the pitch and hoped to receive a full support from the organisation in the coming months,

Separately, Cllr O’Rourke suggested that some of the remaining green space at the astro-pitch site be used to create additional facilities for those who may not enjoy the beautiful game.

“There’s a lot of green space left over from the construction of the astro-pitch embankment works and also in and around the sports hub,” he noted. “In Wexford town and New Ross they secured funding to get a workout station installed in public areas, can we look at a project like that in Enniscorthy to get people more active?

"Perhaps we could engage with the active retirement groups, get their input, and put a project in place for them.”

Ms Lawless said she would look into any funding opportunities available for such a project.