New ‘hangout’ for teenagers to open in Portlaoise
The new space will provide a safe hangout area for teenagers. Image: Laois Co Council
A NEW meeting space for teenagers will be created at the People's Park in Portlaoise, thanks to a €125,000 grant.
The social ‘hangout’ called ‘Giving Young People the Sun, Moon and Stars’ is a joint project between Laois Co Council and Comhairle na nÓg (Youth Council).
The government funding has been awarded to the county council to build a special space for teens in the park on the Timahoe Road.
A designated area will be constructed, where teenagers ‘can hang out together and carry out activities in good and safe facilities’.
Laois Co Council worked with members of the local branch of Comhairle na nÓg, to submit a project addressing the recreational needs of teenagers, so that they can enjoy meeting up without fear of being asked to move on.
The grant is from dormant accounts funding for a national pilot project called Making Spaces for and with Teenagers. Local authorities develop the teenage specific spaces, in consultation with teenagers themselves.
Laois is one of only two local authorities nationwide to receive the maximum €125,000 grant, as part of a total fund of €500,000 going to seven local authorities.
The proposals were evaluated and the top two applications, from Laois and Monaghan, were awarded €125,000 each on 13 June by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. A timeline for construction and opening has not been confirmed as yet.
The department said it recognised that teenagers need ‘more play and recreation amenities, such as social ‘hangout’ spaces and multi-use games areas (MUGAs), due to the increase in population and lower number of facilities’.
