Houses proposal for Parkview

BOYNE Rovers soccer club is prepared to sit down and talk about a move out of Parkview to a greenfield site on the edge of town.

Their home at Parkview has been earmarked for development in the past, but possible deals fell through on two occasions.

Now they say they are open to discuss the future of the venue with Louth County Council.

In the past, permission had been sought for the development of up to 42 homes for older people in the community.

Access had been planned from Patrick Street. The situation at Parkview has been further impacted by the closure of the grounds during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Residents have raised concerns about drug taking at the side of the pitch and have contacted the club accordingly.

The incidents have been ongoing for some weeks. In the past, the club had been earmarked for moves to a site close to Bohills near Sandpit and also close to Ballymakenny Cross.

‘ With the shortage of playing pitches in Drogheda, we feel it would be appropriate to look at all options in terms of the club and its future.

‘ We know there is land on the likes of the Ballymakenny Road and that is something we would be willing to discuss. The area at Parkview is well suited to certain development and in the past, units for older people in the community was put forward,’ a spokesperson for the club stated.

In any proposal, they’d also continue to use the St Joseph’s Secondary School facility.

The Parkview club has been based at the pitch for many decades, having been formed over 80 years ago.

The site had bene earmarked originally for a swimming pool for the northside of the town.

‘ We are an expanding club and we are open to talk to the council or councillors about Parkview.

‘ The issues with anti-social behaviour have become apparent and we want to tackle that,’ the club continued.

However, they don’t have any income from playing fees or major sponsorship at the moment.

There have been calls for a new fence to be erected around the pitch, but the club simply can’t afford it.

‘ We would be delighted if local councillors would assist us with funding to help with the project,’ they added.