Bree wants public meeting to discuss Mercy gym

INDEPENDENT councillor Declan Bree has called on the Board of Management of the Mercy College to participate in a public information meeting to discuss the sudden closure of the college gym.

In a letter to its Chairperson, Cllr Bree pointed out that funding of € 1,040,000 for the construction of the gym and sports hall at the college was provided by way of state grants. He said RAPID funding was specifically provided because a special case was made highlighting the fact that the gym and sports hall would be made available to people living in Cranmore and other adjacent areas designated as disadvantaged under the CLAR and RAPID programmes. It was a condition of the grant from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport that the college would enter into a Deed of Covenant which requires the gym and sports hall would be kept in sports use until at least the year 2023. Cllr Bree indicated that the Principal stated that management did not have the ability to fund the gym and that it was running at a loss.