New sports complex needed amid 'population explosion' in Laois

The ‘explosion of the population’ means a major new sports complex is needed in Laois, a council meeting was told. 

Sinn Fein Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley and Labour Cllr Marie Tuohy tabled a motion in a hope to start the process in Laois. 

They asked that "this Council take a lead in bringing together all relevant stakeholders, ie Sports Ireland and Basketball Ireland along with Laois County Council to make progress and advance a Sports Hall in the County."

In response to the motion, Laois County Council said it has taken on a leadership role in over a long number of years in relation to sports and recreation needs for the county and it will continue in that role. 

Cllr Dwane Stanley acknowledged the work Laois County Council does but said she was disappointed with the response.

“The argument for a new sports facility is fought and won. We all know there is a need for it,” she told the monthly council meeting. 

She said the Portlaoise Panthers had over 400 members and “they have outgrown”  St Mary’s Hall. 

“I am being told there is 25 groups outside of the Panthers that are using St Mary’s,” she said. 

She acknowledged that it wasn’t solely down to the council to provide a new facility. “The people in the county are crying out for a new sports facility,” she said.  She asked the council to start “knocking heads together” to come up with a plan. 

“St Mary’s Hall has completely outlived the size of the sports that are going on now… I am asking Laois County Council to take the lead and make this happen,” she said. 

Cllr Tuohy outlined the importance of sports to the wellbeing of young and old. She said the council were in a position to take the lead in bringing the relevant bodies together. 

Fianna Fail Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said with the “explosion of the population” additional recreation facilities and school places are needed. 

“This town has doubled in population in 20 years,” said Cllr Fitzgerald. She said a new sports complex was “desperately needed” and she asked the council to drive it on. 

Fine Gael Cllr Barry Walsh said he backed the motion and said he believed “spending on these facilities should be as important as roads.” 

He said a facility for all sports should be developed and he asked about a report the council had previously carried out on the matter. 

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran agreed and said there was no point in building houses if children were left with nothing to do. 

Fianna Fail Cllrs John Joe Fennelly and Padraig Fleming also backed the motion. 

Fine Gael Cllr Willie Aird said a feasibility study had been carried out by the council but was never circulated to the members. He too said there was no point in building houses if facilities weren’t in place.  “People, they are very, very cross out there and they have a right to be,” he said. 

“There has been a population explosion. There has been a building explosion,” he pointed out. 

Fine Gael Cllr Thomasina Connell said the council should be looking at a regional facility. 

Independent Cllr Ben Brennan said “I think it is a great motion and it should be supported.” 

Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy agreed with the motion and said the process of developing a new facility should be led by the council but also would need the backing of all the sports bodies. 

Council Chief Executive John Mulholland said the council provides facilities for the county. He said a regional sports complex would require a large capital investment. He said a lot of regional sports facilities are built on third level campuses. 

He said there can be “no doubt Laois County Council will take a leadership role in this” but he said a regional facility could cost between €25 and €30 million, which was beyond the council’s ability. 

“I think it requires collaboration and cooperation with different groups,” he said. He suggested the involvement of Laois Offaly Education and Training Board and Sports Ireland.

Cllr Dwane Stanley said the council has land available. She asked the council to come back with a date as to when the stakeholders could be brought together.