New playground proposed for Portlaoise

A NEW playground has been proposed for a densely populated area of Portlaoise that has many young families but very few amenities.

The provision of a public playground on the town’s Mountmellick/Mountrath road was proposed at a council meeting by Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald.

While the development will depend on funding and a suitable site, a senior council official conceded that there is “a gap” in Portlaoise in terms of play facilities.

Director of services Simon Walton said: “There are 23 public playgrounds around Laois, so the county is well served but in Portlaoise there is a gap in terms of play facilities, with the increase in population.” 

He added: “It is fully accepted that there is a dearth of playgrounds in Portlaoise, so we could enhance what we have and also broaden out provision. That is something we would definitely look at.” 

Cllr Fitzgerald’s proposal at the latest meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District was seconded by Cllr John Joe Fennelly. The town’s existing playground is located on the other side of town at Laois Leisure, formerly Portlaoise Leisure Centre, on Park Drive in Moneyballytyrrell.

Proposing another playground on the Mountmellick road, Cllr Fitzgerald said a lot of young families live in the area and the size of Portlaoise is increasing all the time.

She said: “It is a fair distance to get to any of the parks on the Dublin road and Stradbally road side of town, so we should look at providing some play facilities at this end of the town.” 

Cllr Tommy Mulligan (Ind) agreed that more amenities were needed, as he asked Cllr Fitzgerald (FF) whether she had any site in mind for the new playground. She replied that she didn’t but she wanted to start the process, to see if a suitable location within walking distance of the Mountmellick road could be found.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley described the town’s linear park as “a hidden gem” used by many people, including dog walkers. She said that amenities there should be enhanced.

In a written response to the new playground proposal, the council’s sport and leisure section said that staff would meet with Cllr Fitzgerald and community representatives, to discuss play facility provision in the Mountmellick road area.

The response added: ‘All play developments are subject to the availability of a suitable site and appropriate funding.’