New public park sought for Portlaoise

FORMER councillor Willie Aird called on Laois County council to investigate the possibility of purchasing land along Fr Brown Avenue just off the Mountrath Road in Portlaoise for use as a public park.

The former Cathaoirleach of the Portlaoise Municipal District Council, now Dáil Deputy, Willie Aird said the land, which is located just off the Arthur Jacob Roundabout at the rear of Rockview, was necessary because a large amount of development has taken place along the Mountrath Road area of the town, and more planned, as well as a planned new shopping centre out beyond Maryborough Village.

He said: “The piece of land, I am talking about is in the ownership of the Odlum family. It was rented to finish off the development at Rockview. To me it would be an ideal place for a town park. It’s very open and off a roundabout. We have to have proper sustainable development in Portlaoise and for the next generation of people coming up.”

“There’s 100s of houses up along the Mountrath Road area and paying Local Property Tax. It would be a great opportunity for us to write to the Department of Sport to look for a pot of money to develop a park there for amenities for children,” said cathaoirleach Aird.

Supporting the call cllr Barry Walsh said: “It’s all well and good building houses but we have to provide recreational facilities. Portlaoise is getting huge and having facilities that side of the town would be good for the people there.” 

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said: “I agree. We should be planning for the future and for the next generation. Before the land is gone and it’s too late we should start exploring the opportunity of purchasing it.” 

Cllr Tommy Mulligan said: “I’d love to see housing slowing down in the town with green areas and amenities being a priority. There was a green area beside Scoil Bhríde (Knockmay). It was parish land. It should have been used as a park or a green area, but that went into houses.”