County Limerick’s Newest Playground Is Opened

The €100,000 state-of-the-art facility was developed by Limerick County Council in conjunction with the Askeaton Playground Committee. Located along the banks of the River Deel and adjacent to the local Pool And Leisure Centre, the community facility was built by Down-based contractor Play and Leisure Services Ltd and caters for children aged 12 years and under.

The Askeaton Playground Committee raised €11,000 toward the cost of the new playground. Among the local businesses that contributed to this figure were Twohigs SuperValu, The Cois Sionna Credit Union, The Bank of Ireland Askeaton, Allied Irish Bank Askeaton and Aughinish Alumina.

Local Councillor Kevin Sheahan, who performed the official opening said, "This playground is yet another valuable addition to Askeaton’s public recreational infrastructure. I have every confidence that the sense of community spirit that has been engendered by the local Pool and Leisure Centre will be complemented by this fine facility."

He noted that the construction of the playground in ‘The Green’ area of the town was appropriate, as generations of parishioners had used the site for recreational activities.

Councillor Sheahan continued, "The Askeaton Playground Committee, businesses and the local community have given this project tremendous support and have yet again demonstrated the unique strength of community spirit that exists in Askeaton/Ballysteen Parish. The completion of the playground has cost them money and time, but I am sure the benefits that will be gained by children from using the playground will more than compensate for their efforts in bringing the facility into use".

Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Director of Services, Limerick County Council expressed her confidence that the new playground would encourage healthy and fun activity for children, as well as being a positive social gathering place for members of the local community for many years to come.

She stated that the central role played by members of the local community in developing new playgrounds formed part of Limerick County Council’s policy regarding the provision of such infrastructure in County Limerick.

"In the current economic climate Limerick County Council has had to re-focus its efforts on helping local playground committees to explore alternative mechanisms for the delivery of playgrounds", concluded Ms Cotter Coughlan.

Under the County Limerick Play Plan 2006-2010, Limerick County Council and local community groups have initiated numerous playground projects. Playgrounds have been provided in Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Kilmallock, Cappamore and Castletroy while the Council is continuing to work with a number of groups around the County to develop other such facilities.

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