Play park in Limerick community moves a step closer as lease is agreed

PLANS to open a playground in a west Limerick village have been rubber-stamped by councillors.

Members of Limerick City and County Council have agreed to provide a 1.28-acre site in Athea to the local community council, which plans to develop a play park.

The council-owned land is to be given to Athea Community Council CLG by way of a 30-year lease, in return for the symbolic sum of €1, to facilitate the proposed development.

The lease will have a condition on it that if the land is not developed in an agreed timeframe, it will return to the local authority.

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Athea’s Community Playground Committee has already secured planning permission to develop a playground and other associated amenities on the site, which is located north of Hillside Drive.

The committee is applying for various funding streams in order to turn the plans into a reality.

To date, €100,000 has seen secured from Mayor John Moran, and a further €65,000 from Clar, which is a Government investment programme giving funding for small-scale infrastructure projects in rural areas whose population has fallen.

It is anticipated the park will be developed in three phrases.

The first phase will see a car park, entrance works and site groundworks.

A second phase will see the building of the playground itself, alongside safety surfacing and associated landscaping.

The third and final piece of the jigsaw will see an all-weather pitch, utility building and perimeter fencing constructed.

Councillors approved the land lease at this month’s full meeting.