Developments at Oxfield get a boost
MINISTER for Rural & Community Development, Michael Ring TD was in Sligo recently visiting Oxfield Community, Sports & Leisure Centre.
Accompanied by Deputy Tony McLoughlin TD, Minister Ring was at Oxfield to view the recent phase of development completed at the centre to include a modern 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.
The Minister also took time to view plans for the next phase of development at Oxfield.
A sum of €150,000 in 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.
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,” he added.
Michael Kilcoyne, Chairperson of the Oxfield Management Committee welcomed everyone on the day adding: “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 which is kindly sponsored by Davis’ Restaurant. To be in with a chance to win this or one of the other 19 fantastic prizes, get a ticket (€50) from any of the Oxfield Committee members or any of Oxfield’s many volunteers.
All proceeds from the draw will support the continued development of the Oxfield Community, Sports & Leisure Centre.