NEWBRIDGE, 28 June 2001: by Brian Byrne. A public children's playground with a variety of equipment on a safety surface (above) now looks closer for Newbridge following the completion of the public consultation process on an extension to facilities at the KCC-owned Sports Centre in the town.
Just one submission was made on the project, from a family living behind the centre. They welcomed the project, the main part of which involves the construction two 5-a-side all-weather pitches and car parking for 58 cars, but are concerned about 'unwanted noise'. The council has addressed those concerns as far as is possible, although a request that the facility close at 8pm has been deemed as 'not viable' by the council's leisure and recreation manager, Ray Bonnar.
The total cost of the project is £370,000, and it will be completed with a contribution of £200,000 from the Department of the Environment. Senior executive architect with Kildare County Council has now recommended that the project proceed, and a closing time of 10.30pm for the facilities is envisaged.
"The additional faciliities will greatly enhance the range of community sports and leisure activities provided by a centre which is already a key community player within the town," he said in a report presented to councillors last Monday.
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