Consider land allocation to local club

Westmeath County Council is to consider allocating land to a local sports club for future development of their base.

The land issue for Athlone Town FC was raised by Cllrs Frankie Keena and Michael O’Brien at the July meeting of Athlone Municipal District and received support from other councillors around the table, with some  pointing out that any land disposed of in the area should be available for use by all soccer clubs in the Athlone area.

The council stated that in the context of an overall review of lands in the area it will consider any detailed proposals from the club that address existing arrangements and the future development of the club.

Cllr Keena said the club would like to expand its facilities and has plans for a training academy for underage players and a girls team.

“The idea is good. I hope it will be that young people will stay and play for the club. Anything that’s done through expansion would compliment Athlone Regional Sports Centre,” he said. “I would like to thank our executive for meeting representatives of Athlone Town FC, it will be coming in front of us to allocate the land.”

Cllr Michael O’Brien said the club needed the land for playing pitches and he encouraged all members to support the idea in principle.

Cllr John Dolan said he would like to be included in any discussions going forward.
“I’m involved in ADSL and we’ve paid €15,000 for hire of pitches in AIT. I don’t begrudge AIT but if the council is providing land for pitches it should benefit all. We provide academies for in the region of 200 children and I would like to be included in anything,” he said.

Cllr Kevin 'Boxer’ Moran supported the motion and said the council should look at it.

Cllr Aengus O’Rourke also supported the idea and said a huge amount of the work carried out was on a voluntary basis and if the council could support expansion it should.

Mayor Tom Farrell said all councillors were in agreement.
Cllr Keena said he had been in communication with the club and it would work closely with the ADSL. He said the club was putting together a plan for the council executive.

District Manager Pat Keating said he understood the councillors were supportive and he would very much welcome a proposal from the club.
Mayor Tom Farrell added that it was very important that all soccer clubs were involved.