MacSharry Park funds discussed

SLIGO County Council will explore options for sourcing funding required to complete the Sligo Leitrim and District Soccer League’s new pitch at Ray MacSharry Park. The league is in the process of having a new all-weather surface installed at the Cranmore Road venue, pictured below, but additional funding of €36,415 is needed.

In a joint-motion, Cllrs Declan Bree and Gino O’Boyle called on the council to request that the minister and departments for sport make the funding available through the Sports Capital Programme.

“The secretary of the League, Mr Noel Kennedy, points out that the Sports Capital grant allocated for the initiative was €197,591,” Cllr Bree said.

“In addition, the Football Association has grant-aided the project for €100,000 paid at €10,000 per year for 10 years. The League in turn has secured borrowing of €150,000 from Clann Credo over 10 years. However, there is a shortfall of €36,415 to complete all the works required.”

The Independent councillor went on to say that the league has been unsuccessful in getting financial support locally and he is not aware of any agency in Sligo-Leitrim which provides grant aid for such projects. Cllr O’Boyle – who plays and coaches in the Sligo-Leitrim league with Glenview Stars – said that despite money being “pumped everywhere”, a project under way on their own doorstep which will benefit many clubs is struggling to get the necessary funds to complete it. He suggested that funding could be sourced if it fell under the Cranmore Regeneration project.

Acting chief executive Tom Kilfeather said that the council does not in its own right have the resources and have been rejected for funding in the past in the area after applying under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.

He said that the council will explore all options, including the Cranmore Regeneration project as the ground is within the area.