Killala park

Killala plans to develop a community amenity park

Áine Ryan

PLANS for a community amenity park to be located on part of the so-called Asahi lands, near Killala, have been submitted to Mayo County Council. The proposed development is a joint project, which is being promoted by Killala Community Council, Killala GAA and the Asahi Development Committee. 
The first phase of the proposed development will involve the construction of an all-weather playing pitch and changing rooms; it will also include walks and cycle-paths, and a small hall and a children’s play area.
It is proposed that the Killala GAA club will also acquire adjacent lands to construct a new football pitch.
According to the Chairman of the Killala Community Amenity Park committee (KCAP), Mr Michael O’Donnell, the initiative, established in March 2007, involves 20 active members, including the three above-mentioned groups.
Over the last year they have met Mayo County Council Director of Services, Mr Seamus Granahan and have also been given ‘full support’ by deputies Dara Calleary and John O’Mahony, as well as a number of local councillors.
“This proposed development seeks to achieve synergy and economies of scale by providing facilities in one location to meet the needs of the wider community including the Newtownwhite and Cooneal school catchment areas,” said Mr O’Donnell.
He said it is also ‘designed to enhance some excellent existing facilities and amenities in the area’.
It is envisaged that the second phase of the development will include the construction of a driving range and putting greens, an athletics track, tennis courts and a caravan park. Possible subsequent additions to the park may include the construction of a shallow pond as a water sports training facility, as well as various physical challenge courses.
KCAP Chairman, Michael O’Donnell also observed that ‘the Killala GAA club has been seeking to develop a second playing pitch for the last number of years’.
“Access to the existing pitch on the Killala-Crossmolina road is a real problem and an all- weather pitch in the park would be a real asset to clubs of various sporting codes in the wider north Mayo area,” he continued.
He added: “Due to the high volume of traffic on the major and minor roads today, people can no longer walk or cycle safely on the local roads in the community. Pedestrian and cycle routes would be designed into the amenity park to address this requirement.”