Update on plans for new sports centre at old Limerick school

COUNCIL staff are currently weighing up who to appoint to design a new sports centre on Limerick's southside.

At this month’s metropolitan meeting, Fianna Fail councillor Catherine Slattery sought an update on the progress of the facility, planned for a green space near the old St Enda’s School, at Kilmallock Road.

In a written answer, she was told by Fiona McCormack of the council’s regeneration department that council staff are looking at design proposals for what will be a state-of-the-art complex.

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This is with a view to putting in place a design team for the multi-million euro project.

After a design team is in place, approval will then be sought from the government, and then a planning application will be made.

Cllr Slattery also asked will residents and community groups be able to use the facility, which is being seen by many as a replacement for The Factory youth space in Galvone, whose long-term future remains in doubt.

She was told by Ms McCormack: “Completed facilities will be accessible to residents and community groups on bookable/timetabled slots, cost of which will be determined at a later stage”.

The City East councillor says it is vital any charges paid to use the centre will remain nominal.

“We are in a Regeneration area where employment is low. People don’t have the money with the cost-of-living crisis. For a youth facility to be provided in a Regeneration area - or any area - there should not be a cost. If there is a cost, it would need to be really really minimal,” said Cllr Slattery.

She suggested no more than €1 or €2 per person.

“Anything higher than that, it will turn into a gym,” she added.

Cllr Slattery believes it's vital the new building is used mainly for communities on the southside and not other bodies.

“I’m in favour of giving youth on the southside a place to go that they don’t need to pay to use. The Factory youth space is being taken away. Council needs to put something back in place. If I have anything to do with it, it will be something that community groups can use, and the local schools can use,” she added.

The City East polltopper on Friday requested council staff organise a briefing to iron out some more details about the new facility in the coming days.

St Enda’s secondary school closed in 2015.

A year later, it was given a new lease of life as a further education facility under the auspices of the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board.