Fury over decision to delay South Park sports project

Galway City Tribune – The deferring of a vote in relation to sports developments at South Park has pushed back the project for another year, a city councillor has claimed.

Item 4(a) on the agenda of a City Council meeting last week was to be a presentation on the draft recreation and amenity masterplan for the South Park area of the city.

A report had been circulated prior to the meeting, which took place in GMIT. A concern had been raised by West United that the astro turf – as set out in the plan – would not be up to international standards.

In response to this, Cllr Peter Keane (FF) had submitted a proposal that the plan be adopted by the full Council with the following amendment: “That the astro turf pitch be built to UEFA standards and dimensions, and that the facility would be flood-lit, to enhance usage of it, particularly during the winter.”

However, as members had spent about two hours going through the minutes from previous meetings, and seeking clarification and responses from the Chief Executive, Brendan McGrath, on over 50 matters, the rest of the business was delayed. At 8pm – four hours after the meeting had been due to start – the mayor, Cllr Pearce Flannery, suggested that they take a break for tea.

At the same time, Cllr Donal Lyons, proposed that items 4(a) and 4(b) be deferred – the latter was in relation to the draft recreation and amenity masterplan for Kingston, to which residents of Gort Siar had raised concerns.

Cllr Peter Keane took issue with the South Park matter – 4(a) – being deferred, however, and he requested that a reason be given for this, but was not satisfied with the response. A vote was taken to defer these two items, which received the support of 12 Councillors; three were against, and two abstained.

“That’s it gone for another year – you can tell West United, Billy (Cllr Cameron),” Cllr Keane said in disgust.

Afterwards, he told the Galway City Tribune that the decision to defer the matter was an unnecessary delay to the project.

“There was absolutely no reason why item 4(a) on the agenda could not be dealt with, and adopted this evening,” he said.

“As far as I understand it, there was one serious concern – which was raised by West United – the astro turf facility, which is proposed as part of the development, would be brought within UEFA standard dimensions, so they could play League of Ireland and International-standard competitions, and further that the pitch would be flood-lit.”
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