Claremorris community centre project gets support from local councillors

LOCAL representatives from the Claremorris-Swinford area have given their backing to an ambitious project to deliver a multi-million euro community centre for their area.

Funding is currently being sought to develop a multi-purpose community recreational centre at a site near Alan Feeney Park in Claremorris.

The initiative is being spearheaded by the Claremorris Community Recreational Centre committee, who intend to fund the development through the government’s Community Centres Investment Fund.

The committee are also organising a ‘Lip Sync’ fundraiser for February 22, 2025, to help raise the required 10 percent match funding

Committee representatives have met with local municipal district staff in recent months.

While the council are not directly involved in any funding application, a number of items were discussed including funding options, the next steps involved, the planning process and future consultations.

Conrad Harley, Senior Executive Engineer wrote that the the municipal district would ‘maintain contact with the committee and will provide any assistance or advice it can to the group’ in response to a motion tabled by Cllr Paul Lawless calling on the council to support the project.

Local councillor Richard Finn publicly backed the project at the November meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District, but said he took ‘exception to be asked by any councillor to support something in my own town’.

“I’m long enough around to know that money and finance for such a facility will have to come from Mayo County Council. I’m long enough around to know without being told by management or any other councillor in relation to our duties and what we can do for such facilities.”

Cllr Michael Burke (Fine Gael) lent his support but appeared to accuse Cllr Lawless, who is running in the general election, of taking ‘opportunistic opportunities’.

“I see a fair bit of this around this table in this term and I just say, cop on. We see what’s going on and we’re not going to lie down to anyone under that type of stuff.”

The project was also backed by Independent general election candidate Patsy O’Brien, who said the committee were ‘going in the right way about it’.

Cllr Alma Gallagher (Fine Gael) complimented Catriona Doherty, co-chair of Claremorris Community Recreational Centre Committee.

“She really is a woman on a mission,” said Cllr Gallagher.