Laois councillors demand urgency and site purchase for regional sports complex

"Let's champion this project, let's make a start on it," is the call of one of the many Laois councillors demanding action to build a regional multi-use sports complex in Portlaoise that could cost anything from €30m to 80m.

Laois County Council's newly acting CEO Simon Walton gave reasons for a low budget option in the monthly meeting on Monday, May 27, but Laois councillors did not hold back in demanding a top facility for the Midlands.

Labour Cllr Marie Tuohy made the call for championing a centre, in a motion she tabled to the meeting.

"After health, housing and schools, one of the most important items for Portlaoise families is amenities for children. There is no doubt that Laois deserves such an important and basic facility. It is yet to be embraced at council level. 

"It would be money well spent. They wanted to find a site for the library and did, for a new courthouse and they did. It would provide economic, employment and commercial benefit for the county. 

"You can't build a house without having a site large enough for what we are talking about. It has to be the starting point. Let's not wait another five years," she urged. 

Simon  Walton acting CEO said it can be done but only with the support of national agencies and Government money.

"The county executive will not ignore this. We discussed this at the March and April meeting and the report has been circulated. It concludes the requirements for a regional sports centre in Portlaoise and that's clear in the report.

"Nobody is underplaying the points made by representives. But the reality is, from the council's perspective, Sport Ireland are the authority charged with development of sport in Ireland. 

The cost of providing a regional sports facility that everybody wants, is definitely in excess of €30 million in today's terms. 

"The council will not be in a position to develop a project of that scale by itself, other than if there is significant state support. 

"If we do have the support of the state, of Basketball Ireland and Sport Ireland, well then a regional sports centre can be developed. 

However the council is also suggesting their own low cost improvements.

"What would be feasible for Laois County Council on its own to do? It won't be a regional centre, but perhaps new sports complex and updated. St Mary's is say 1,000 sqm, if you were to provide a 2,000sqm new version that would probably cost maybe €5 which from a council perspective may be more manageable. The first place we would look at is sites we already own.

"We are engaging with Sports Ireland to flesh out the detail over the coming months with the options available in Laois, and then come back before councillors," Mr Walton said.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said Portlaoise must not be "left behind".

"Kilkenny has one, Killarney, Mullingar will get one. We need an updated study, get Sport Ireland, Basketball Ireland and the council into a room, look to meet the minister and draw down grants. We can't do it on our own, but we have a role as a council, we can provide a site. Yes the price will look like it's massive, but you couldn't put a price on the benefit to the entire county," she said.

Cllr Barry Walsh said that it would bring tourism to Laois also. 

"I asked that this report be circulated but the response is only relates to a sports hall. I really believe we need a greenfield site with room to grow. Moneyballytyrrell would lock us into a corner. We're building lots of houses, but we need facilities as well. We are missing out on grants. There is nothing to say we can't do this in phases," he said.

Cllr Thomasina Connell said she had seconded Cllr Walsh's request for the 2019 report to be distributed, and asked for it six times since.

"The slogan is 'working with the community', it should be 'ignoring the community'. Six years on from when the council briefed the company, this information is outdated. The population is heading for 27,000, with a lot of young people, we have to do more. We know national funding has to be applied for, we're targeting the executive to give it the best shot. Are Laois County Council afraid of this? If so we are not going to get the money," she said.

Cllr Aisling Moran also supports their demand for a fully equipped regional sports centre.

"You found €7.6m for a library, surely to god you can fund this. A proper stadium could cost €100m. We need to get another feasibility study and act on it straight away," she said.

The official reply to the motion asking to find a site is as follows:

"Ahead of looking for a site, the first matter to be decided is the type of facility to be supplied. Given the needs of the county and of Portlaoise, it is to be considered that initial efforts be focused on provision of an additional sports hall within Portlaoise as a community level facility".

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, Fianna Fáil said it made her "angry".

"This is one of the worse responses the council has ever given. This is a major issue in Portlaoise and the county. We need the drive and ambition of Laois County Council to drive this on. The money is only a drop in the ocean. We have to provide this facility. You are letting us down as public representatives. I'm not accepting it. It's a disgraceful reponse".