Fethard is set to become the envy of towns across the country with the announcement this week that funding is now fully in place for a €5million Town Park with an amazing package of facilities.
Deputy Michael Lowry secured the sum of €2.6m under the Governments Regeneration Fund, the largest allocation of funding ever granted under this scheme.
This funding is being matched by Mr. John Magnier, who wishes to leave a legacy project to the town he loves and where his world renowned Coolmore Stud is based. Groundworks will commence in June of this year and the projected completion of Phase 1 will be January 2022.
Locals gathered in the Town Hall to hear details of the 22 acre project, which received full Planning Permission in July of last year, and there were ripples of excitement as they heard details of the Town Park, which will be a community recreational facility in the very heart of the town with a particular focus on health and wellbeing.
It will include a 2.5km perimeter walkway/running track, a Community Pavilion that includes a multi-use community hub with intergenerational hall, a community-commercial gym and café, health consultation rooms, changing rooms, showers etc. A popular inclusion is a much needed routeway for pedestrians and cyclists through the Town Park from the residential area at Strylea to the education facilities at Rocklow Road.
A very popular inclusion is a full-sized All-Weather Pitch that incorporates multidimensional playing fields for all codes and recreational uses. The amenity facilities include a variety of community amenity resources including an Adventure Playground, Sensory Garden, outdoor classroom, dog park, outdoor fitness equipment and there will also be an Open Parkland and Public Space with grassland and natural landscaping including seating and lighting.
Addressing the gathering at the announcement of the details of the project, Deputy Michael Lowry said that it is a truly amazing project, the scale and scope of which is unmatched in any part of Ireland, and he was delighted to have secured €2.6million in funding for it. He praised and thanked the Magnier family for their generosity and for leaving this legacy to the town, which became home to John Magnier in 1975.
“As soon as John Magnier heard about the Government funding he wanted to be involved. He wanted to be involved and put his stamp on it to make sure this project would be a centre of excellence for Fethard and all the surrounding communities. Nothing has been spared or overlooked. Everyone in the town has bought into the project by having their say in what was wanted and needed, it has full Planning Permission and the support of Tipperary County Council”, stated Lowry
Recalling the meetings he had with Government on securing funding, Deputy Lowry said “Negotiations went from no hope, to possible, to over the line”.
He recalled the day that Minister Michael Ring came to Fethard to announce the funding and the anticipation it created. He also acknowledged the incredible support he has received from Maurice Moloney at Coolmore Stud and the amazing work carried out by Caroline Madden, Strategic Planning and Project Consultant who designed the plan for the Town Park.
Mr Lowry continued, “A project of this magnitude could not happen without partnership and this project shows partnership at its best”.
He complimented Fethard Regional Community Sport and Recreational Campus CLG, which is the Development Company and Operator, along with their partners Tipperary County Council, Coolmore Ireland, Cashel and Emly Diocese, Healthy Ireland, local schools and clubs and groups and the community of Fethard.
VERY NICE