2019 report now in public shows Portlaoise needs major sports complex

A feasibility study carried out five years ago on a major Regional sports complex in Portlaoise, is "proof" that the centre is needed now more than ever, a local councillor says.

Laois County Council was asked by councillors to make the 2019 report public, after recent remarks by the council CEO on the unlikelihood of such a centre being built, estimating it to now cost some €80m. 

Laois Sinn Féin Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley gave details to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"I welcome the release of this information today and this is proof that a case for the Sports Complex is needed," Cllr Dwane Stanley said.

It has become a major election issue in the Portlaoise Municipal District, with many councillors saying it the top concern for voters on doorsteps.

The release of the report comes after sports clubs marched together in Portlaoise to demand the facility, on St Patrick's Day, organised by the Portlaoise Panthers Basketball Club. 

In the document prepared by Faithful & Gould, the project was estimated to cost €20.8m including equipment, but the council at the time had expected it to realistically cost €25m.  

Over 30 sports and community organisations had given their input in how they would use such a facility, including basketball, GAA, soccer and disability groups.

At the time, with Portlaoise's population smaller than it is now, 22,000 and now at 24,000 and growing, the report found that "current facilities are not meeting existing need/demand and are generally not fit for purpose or accessible".

Consultants said there is only one indoor facility, St Mary's Hall, which was 35 years old with "significant access issues" and limited parking. It was costing €50 per hour to hire.

"There is total agreement amongst all respondants that new indoor multisport facilities are needed.

"Regional / major sports events cannot be held in County Laois. This is having a negative impact on the sporting infrastructure across the county ... in relation to morale, participation and performance.

"Some indoor facilities, most noticeably schools, are not available to the wider community.

"The lack of adequate facilities is impacting negatively on growth of sport in Laois.

"The cost of facility hire is a prohibitive factor for clubs".

It also found that the facility needs to be in Portlaoise town centre and be accessible for all including those with disabilities.

The type of centre recommended should have a minimum of eight, but preferably 12 multi-use courts.

It should have capacity to host regional tournaments, with retractable spectator seating.

There should be studio spaces for activities like combat sports, yoga and dance. There should also be athletics facilties, gym facilities and enough storage for multi-use equipment.

There should be a social space and café, as well as an indoor synthetic pitch. It should also have offices for stakeholders such as Laois Sports Partnership.

The centre was also recommended to support Portlaoise' low carbon targets.

The consultants add that while the focus was on an indoor facility, they recommend a 400m outdoor tartan athletics track,  athletics spaces outdoors and an all weather pitch outdoors.

"To purchase a new site would be too expensive, particularly in the Portlaoise area. I don't think there'd be grounds for it given that Laois County Council has lands in Portlaoise," he had said.

The outgoing Laois County Council CEO John Mulholland told Portlaoise councillors recently that such a facility could cost up to €80m. He instead suggests adding extra outdoor facilities to two council owned sites in the town.