Things are looking bright in town and it’s not just the weather
THE opening of a ‘ badly needed’ extension at Newmarket Girls National School last Friday means the town, and district, now has two excellent schools that are well set up for serving the needs of the area.
The extension at the girls school involved a major revamp of the facilities there and comes not so long after facilities at Newmarket Boys NS were upgraded in recent years.
Local county councillor Gerard Murphy pointed out that both schools are now well set up to serve the needs of the area. “These are two excellent schools and they are both very well run,” said Cllr Murphy, adding: “and the pupils coming out of those schools go on to do very well at second level education and beyond, which is a testament to their primary schooling.”
He also pointed out that the boys school, and community generally, has greatly benefited from the upgrading of the adjacent West End Park, which now boasts a playing pitch and childrens playground as well as two tennis courts.
However, what is likely to be one of the most significant additions to the town in many years is the Newmarket Primary Care Centre, which is currently being built and is due for completion in the autumn. This €3 million centre will include a number of GP practices as well as specialised nursing staff plus a range of medical support services and dental clinic, facilities for minor surgery, canteen and ancilliary healthcare units.
“It will cover all aspects of what primary care centres were set up to do in a centralised location,” said Cllr Murphy, who added that will be a major addition and benefit for the wider community in Duhallow.
And just last week, sanction was given for 10 social housing units to be built – subject to planning permission – on a site adjacent to the primary care centre, which will be a key addition to housing provision in the town.
Meanwhile, Newmarket Community Development Association, in association with Cork County Council, have plans in process to extend the footpath from the grotto to the speed limit on the Kanturk Road.
And another very active local community group, Newmarket Sports & Leisure, are involved in plans to upgrade facilities at the much loved Island Wood. It is envisaged this will involve improving the woodland paths and river walks, helping to make this beautiful natural oasis more accessible to the community.
So while flower-filled Newmarket basks in the summer sunshine there’s plenty going on to keep the future looking even sunnier, too.