Cllrs approve masterplans for three new sports facilities in city

Councillors have approved masterplans for sports and recreational facilities at Kingston, Millars Lane and South Park to go out for public consultation.

The plans would see a full-sized rugby pitch located at a 12-acre site adjacent to the St John the Apostle National School in Kingston, Knocknacarra with all-weather sports pitches, looped walks, a playground and outdoor exercise equipment.

Following strenuous objections from some residents, councillors voted to alter the plan put forward by consultants on access to the site. There would only be a single entrance to it from the Western Distributor Road. A proposed pedestrian walkway from Kingston Garden would not be published in the design to go out to the public.

At Millar’s Lane, the plan being put forward is the upgrading of the existing grass pitch to create a sand based artificial hockey pitch that can also facilitate soccer training.

At South Park in the Claddagh, there will be a bigger children’s playground, upgraded pitches with an astro turf soccer pitch with a looped walk, better lighting and seating with an outdoor exercise station located near Mutton Island.

Councillors expressed some concerns over the previous contamination uncovered at the site of a former city dump but were overall happy with the vision created for the prime location.

Everything in the masterplans are subject to funding. Galway City Council would have to apply for sports capital funding grants to undertake the major projects.

The public will now have several weeks to make their views known before another draft master plan comes back before councillors for adoption.