BALLYNEETY Golf Club have teed-off innovative plans to develop a €2 million recreational park on its 183-acre site to include archery, crazy golf, handball alleys, camping facilities, a crèche, playground and nature walks.
The exciting community-driven project was outlined to councillors from Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District this Tuesday during their visit to the South East Limerick golf course. Ballyneety Golf Club, which first opened in 1994 and re-opened in 2013 after closing in 2010, now have the opportunity to buy-out temporary owners, Ethix, in 2016 for close to €1.5 million.
A delegation from the 2016 Ballyneety Golf Club and Recreational Park Strategic Policy Committee revealed its vision to create a sustainable community facility for all ages for a further €600,000. They also sought Council support for the project through multi-annual funding of €50,000 for a period of five years.
Chairman of the Ballyneety Golf Club delegation, Hugh O’Donnell, is confident the project will play a vital role in growing employment, tourism and community development in the region. Currently employing 36 people, the recreational park project has the capability of increasing this figure to 52 positions, Mr O’Donnell predicts.
“The development is an innovative way of reshaping old, elitist perceptions of private clubs in the area. It is an opportunity to showcase how a successful community/council partnership can develop this rural amenity,” he added.
Local architect David Leahy was equally enthused. He told council members of his hopes to see Ballyneety Golf Club’s doors opened up to the people of Limerick as a recreational parkland to be “celebrated and enjoyed”.
“There is no open space amenities and this is an opportunity to give back to the entire community,” said Mr Leahy.
Fianna Fail councillor Richard O’Donoghue gave the project his full backing and suggested a camper site as part of the project would help bring in revenue.
“I don’t play golf. I wouldn’t have the time, but we have to support something like this,” Cllr O’Donoghue told his council colleagues.
“This is a very worthwhile project with massive potential. I’m fully behind it,” he added.
Fine Gael councillor Stephen Keary also added his support and said the local authority must consider assisting the project financially.
Cathaoirleach of Limerick City and County Council, Cllr Kevin Sheahan (FF) told councillors that he would be looking for the project to be considered in a “positive manner” as part of the Council’s annual budget.
Independent councillor Emmett O’Brien described the project as a “huge undertaking”.
“I take my hat off to them. It’s a remarkable achievement how they resurrected it,” said Cllr O’Brien.
While Sinn Fein councillor Ciara McMahon insisted that anything that could be done to support the project, should be done.
