Oxfield shows Minister around new facilities

MINISTER RING PROMISES TO RETURN IN 2019 FOR OPENING

OXFIELD Community, Sports & Leisure Centre welcomed the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring recently to view their latest developments.

Accompanied by Deputy Tony McLoughlin, Minister Ring viewed the new dressing room, new wheelchair accessible toilets and a new suite of ladies toilets.

Funding for these capital works were secured by the Oxfield Committee through the 2014 round of Sports Capital Programme which Minister Ring had previous responsibility for as Minister of State for Sport.

Mr Ring, now Minister for Rural and Community Development, also took time to view plans for the next phase of de- velopment at Oxfield. €150,000 of funding has been approved for Oxfield under the 2014-2020 LEADER funding programme and proposed works (due to commence early in 2019) include the conversion of an existing squash court into two floors of multi-purpose community spaces, a modern suite of gents toilets, a new additional dressing room and a new effluent system treatment system and percolation area.

Speaking at the event in Oxfield, Minister Ring told the large crowd in attendance: “I am delighted to be back here in Oxfield with my great friend Deputy Tony McLoughlin.

“The committee here in Oxfield are doing fantastic work and it is wonderful to see the recent phase of development completed and looking so well. As Minister with responsibility for LEADER it gives me great pleasure to be here today as the Oxfield Committee accept approval from LEADER of 75% funding of €150,000 towards the next phase of development and as the project is shovel ready I look forward to coming back in 2019 for the official opening”.

Chairperson of the Oxfield Management Committee Michael Kilcoyne welcomed everyone on the day: “It’s great to have Minister Ring and Deputy Tony McLoughlin here again as we embark on the next phase of development in Oxfield, even better as they bring fantastic news that our application for LEADER funding is approved and we sincerely thank all those involved for the work in preparing and approving the application”.

Those present on the day included members of the local community together with Cllr. Sinead Maguire, Chair of Sligo LCDC, Cllrs. Hubert Keaney and Seamus Kilgallon, Chris Gonley, CEO of Sligo LEADER, Blair Feeney, Chairperson of Sligo LEADER, Shona Heffernan of Sligo LEADER and Mary Davis of Davis’ Restaurant the main sponsor of Oxfield Community, Sports & Leisure Centre.

Tickets for the Oxfield Members Christmas Draw are now on sale. €3,000 cash is the top prize, sponsored by Davis’ Restaurant.

All proceeds from the draw will support the continued development of the Centre.