‘Bring national basketball centre here’
AN APPEAL on behalf of a number of residents in the Pearse Road and Cleveragh Road area of Sligo town against a plan to demolish a house and replace it with two houses has been turned down by An Bord Pleanála.
The appeal lodged by McGinty Planning and Development Consultants on behalf of the residents was against the decision on October 14 last by Sligo County Council to grant permission to Aidan Tierney to demolish an house and attached garage and construct two three-storey detached houses, create a new vehicular entrance onto Pearse Road (with the existing entrance onto Cleveragh Road to remain), connect to public services and carry out other associated site works at the corner of Cleveragh Road and Pearse Road, Sligo.
The houses are to be four-bedroom, with two bedrooms on the first floor and two on the second floor. The A-shaped gable fronted
SLIGO County Council will request that the county be considered for one of 10 new basketball centres of excellence to be implemented around the country.
A motion was tabled at the recent meeting of the council by Cllr Thomas Walsh who said that there is a great opportunity for Sligo to stake its claim as only two locations have been finalised so far and it would be a fitting decision to have a centre in the home of one of the country’s oldest basketball clubs. “We have an opportunity with Basketball Ireland announcing its intention to develop 10 centres of excellent and only two locations have been decided so far.”
“As Sligo All-Stars is one of the country’s oldest clubs it would be significant for the county and the region.” “Participation in the club has continued to grow and it is close to its goal of the men’s team playing in the Super League and a women’s team playing in Division One.”
Cllr Walsh added that Sligo boasts several excellent sporting venues and that the AllStars – who currently play in the Mercy College gym hall – are deserving of their own modern home.
“We have The Showgrounds, GAA Centre of Excellence, National Mountain Bike Centre and we will soon have a National Surf Centre. I believe this council should request Sligo be considered as it would be significant for the county when we will soon be making an application for university status.”
The motion was supported by Cllr Rosaleen O’Grady who agreed that the council must contact the Basketball Ireland CEO and make a case for Sligo. “The Sligo All-Stars have a long tradition in the game and has played on an international stage and hosted international games. It is important that we contact the CEO and request that Sligo be considered.”
Cllr Maguire also agreed that Sligo “is a very fitting location for one of these centres” and that the council should “put our force behind that.”
Cllr Paul Taylor supported the motion, agreeing with
Cllr Walsh that Sligo already has excellent venues for other sports and that basketball deserves a similar centre as the sport “has a big future in Sligo.”
Cllr Marie Casserly also fully supported the proposal and added that the members and volunteers who have allowed the club to thrive for many decades should be recognised if a centre of excellence is earmarked for Sligo.
“Volunteers and sponsors involved at the club over the years must be acknowledged. “They started with little many years ago but it is a club now recognised around the country and we should recognise the people who made the club what it is today.”