CAN NEW SPORTS CAMPUS BE BUILT AT OLD FASSAROE?
HOPES 50 ACRES AT OLD FASSAROE CAN BECOME INTO STATE OF THE ART CAMPUS
A public meeting to discuss the possibility of a sports campus at Old Fassaroe was held recently at the Esplanade Hotel in Bray.
Deputy Stephen Donnelly hosted the meeting and was joined by Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District Cllr Christopher Fox, and Leas- Cathaoirleach Cllr Pat Vance.
The meeting was very well attended and involved plans for a large development at old Fassaroe on the other side of the N11.
Fifty acres of the site is proposed to be zoned as active open space. Deputy Stephen Donnelly put a submission to the draft local area plan to turn that space into a state of the art sports campus. Wicklow County Council came back to Deputy Donnelly indicating that this is something they would like to support.
Ardmore Rovers, Enniskerry FC, Enniskerry Boxing Club, Glencormac United, Wicklow County Cricket Clyb, Greystones Mariners Baseball, Bray Hockey Club, East Coast Cyclones Roller Derby, People’s Park Users and others were represented on the night.
The purpose of the meeting was to start a conversation about the need for such a sports campus, and how it might accommodate a range of clubs.
The development remains with An Bord Pleanala for now. Appeals were lodged in June. At the moment, An Bord Pleanala says that it does not have a date available for finalisation of the appeal.
‘What was apparent was we all have the same goals of achieving adequate facilities for our chosen sports but also we share common values of passion, inclusion and diversity,’ said a spokesman for Ardmore Rovers.
‘Overall the meeting was very positive with all councillors and TDs present expressing their support for the development of the Sports Campus and getting Ardmore Rovers the Home we so very much deserve.’
Deputy Donnelly said that a community sports campus which would serve the entirety of north Wicklow is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
‘Sports clubs in the north of the county have been crying out for this sort of facility for years,’ said Deputy Donnelly.
‘For example, Ardmore Rovers, which will soon have 800 members, is without a home facility. Considering the amazing contribution that these sports clubs make to the local community, I think the time has come for the community to give back, and to give these clubs a home,’ he said.
Deputy John Brady said that all public representatives need to work together for a sports campus for north Wicklow.
‘I am delighted that there has been a real interest in the possibility of developing a sports campus in North Wicklow, something which formed part of a submission I made to the draft Local Area Plan for Bray,’ said Deputy Brady.
‘ The planners gave a favourable response to my submission and stated that the lands at Old Fassaroe have the potential to be developed as a sports campus.
‘ The old Fassaroe lands provide a viable space for such a development and I know that others have also put this forward as an ideal open space for a sports campus.
‘I have recently held meetings with planners in Wicklow and they believe the idea has good potential. I have also had positive preliminary discussions with Cosgrave Developers, who are the owners of the Fassaroe lands. I have also discussed the issue with Ardmore Rovers and a number of other sports clubs and they are also on board.’
He said that it is now up to Wicklow County Councillors to pass and agree the Local Area Plan when it is discussed at Wicklow County Council.