Call for future needs analysis for Galway’s east side

From this week’s Galway City Tribune – A future needs analysis of the east side of the city would serve as a catalyst for the proper development of an area that ‘is being treated like the poor relation’.

That’s according to local councillor Alan Cheevers (FF) who said a widescale investigation of the requirements in areas such as Doughiska and Ballybane would allow Galway City Council to form a strategy to ensure no area is left behind.

Cllr Cheevers said he would be putting down a motion at the next City Council meeting to seek support for such a study which he said should cost in the region of €250,000, and should draw on the expertise of NUI Galway and GMIT.

“It was done for the Doughiska-Roscam-Ardaun area a number of years ago and established the need for a school, a resource centre and various other community facilities, but I think we now need a broader picture of the situation,” said the Fianna Fáil councillor.

“In my view, investment in the east side of the city is poor, relative to City West and City Central.”

As much as lack of investment was a problem, investment in the wrong type of infrastructure was also an issue, said Cllr Cheevers.

“As an example, in a current Capital Spending Budget, there is funding for a hurling wall for each of the three areas in the city and the cost is €150,000 per wall. A hurling wall is all well and good, but that €150,000 could have been spent on floodlighting for Doughiska Park to make it an all-year-round facility.

One of the people heavily involved in the future needs analysis carried out for the Doughiska-Roscam-Ardaun area in 2009 was local priest Fr Martin Glynn, who says the time has come to replicate that for the entirety of City East.

The analysis of the DRA area enabled the creation of a strategy that delivered two schools, sports facilities and community cohesion in Doughiska, he said.

“It is so important to engage with local people when planning for an area so that you can respond to their needs as they see them,” added Fr Martin, who coordinates several parishes in the Galway East Pastoral Area.
This is a shortened preview version of this article. To read the extended feature on the east side, see this week’s Galway City Tribune. You can buy a digital edition HERE.