All-weather sports area sought for ‘deprived’ region in Newbridge, County Kildare

Kildare County Council said that it ‘has no objection in principle’ to building the sports area

An all-weather sports pitch should be provided for a 'deprived' Newbridge region, according to a Kildare county councillor.

The call was made by Independent Cllr Tom McDonnell at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting held on Wednesday, September 19 last.

He motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) 'to build an all-weather sports playing area on the basketball court at Lakeside Park, Highfield, Dara Park (LHD) area' in Newbridge.

Cllr McDonnell’s motion was seconded by Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey.

KCC told Cllr McDonnell: "There is no objection in principle to building an all-weather playing area on the open space at LHD.

"However, the best location needs to be considered, as the current location has been a location for antisocial behaviour.

"Similar to the playground the location and design of an all-weather pitch would need to be considered in the context of a Master Plan for the open space."

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KCC added: "Funding to deliver an all-weather playing area would also need to be identified."

Responding to KCC’s report, Cllr McDonnell said: "It is a deprived area, and it has been for many years.

"There is nothing for children to do there... then you go, 'oh, there’s antisocial behaviour there.'"

He continued: "You need to put something in there, if not, then they [young people] will become distracted.

"They need basketball, football... they need something to do, to wear out their energies inbetween [school] studies... it’s not like we’re going to the moon.

"The basketball court has been there for 30 years, and [the present condition of] it is not acceptable; it is our responsibility as councillors to provide it."

Cllr McDonnell also said he wanted to see a sensory playground, which would cater for children on the Autism Spectrum, to be opened in the area.

It was heard that the topic would be placed on a progress report by KCC.