Architects completing a masterplan for Ennistymon have been asked to prioritise a community sports amenity.
In a joint motion, Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) and Cllr Shane Talty (FF) requested that the identification and prioritisation of a site for a community sports amenity be included in the masterplan for Ennistymon.
Helena McElmeel Architects were appointed by Clare County Council, Clare Local Development Company and Ennistymon Town Team to lead a multi-disciplinary team to complete a masterplan for the town of Ennistymon.
Acting senior planner with Clare County Council, Helen Quinn outlined, “The masterplan seeks to build upon the existing Council planned new bridge crossing and the upgrading works to take place along the Main Street. The study will explore the potential of the existing townscape and its built environment in order to guide its development in a positive way. It will also comprise of a new signage strategy and streetscape enhancement plan, which seeks to improve the experience for visitors and residents”.
Several public consultation events have been held to date, Ms Quinn advised. “These consultations seek to put the community at the heart of the project, allowing their aspirations for the town to come to the fore. The appointed consultants have been advised of this motion which will be considered in the coming weeks as the plan emerges”.
Speaking at a recent meeting of the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Talty observed that it was “a very exciting time in Ennistymon, there is a vibrancy and a population growth, it is a town on the hinterland around it doing very well with a lot of new businesses and residents. For all that vibrancy there is a dearth of community space or playing space. We already know what the key sites are”.
A masterplan is made redundant without “these recreation points,” Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) believed. “The community piece has to be identified in the plan”.
With a new school to be constructed, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) highlighted that playing and recreation facilities “are extremely important for social, emotional and physical development, the space will have to be found”.
