Swimming and kayaking in Laois town pond proposed by consultants

Turning a pond next to a meatplant in a Laois town into a watersports amenity is one of the many ideas proposed to make Rathdowney a more attractive place to live.

KPMG Consultants who were commissioned by Laois County Council to draw up a future plan for the town, have highlighted the potential in improving the Mill Pond in the town centre, next to Dawn Meats.

"The Mill Pond is in poor condition and is compromised by the location of a large industrial meat processing facility fronting onto space, and associated access and ownerships constraints.

"There is the opportunity to improve the environmental quality of the pond to support a variety of water based recreational activities. There is also the opportunity for public realm improvements adjacent to the pont, and to build a direct link with the Community Centre site. 

"The heritage pond is a unique semi-natural feature of the town centre which together with the Town Square, has to potential to become a public attraction... as a focal point for small-scale water-based activities eg swimming, kayaking, fishing, paddle boarding and model boating. 

"Consideration could be given to restricting vehicle access to one side of the pond, thereby creating a public space with enhanced amenity and water access. 

A lightweight pavillion for a community café beside the pond is suggested, but they note that "good water quality is essential".

They also suggest turning the Town Square into a second social space rather than being simply a carpark.

"The square should be the social heart of Rathdowney, with the capacity to host a range of informal and formal gatherints and events, including farmers/ artisan food markets. Such developments would stimulate economic activity, drive visitor footfall and lead to a more vibrant and liveable space," the report says.

They say a parking survey in 2022 found that the square may have too many parking spaces.

"It is proposed to remove a section at the western end of the square and introduce a new public realm area".

Their suggestions were formed after a community survey.

Other ideas proposed include a bus stop to link to nearby Ballybrophy station to support business, 

The Rathdowney Town Centre First Plan was launched to the public on Monday night, December 12, to a packed audience in the Marian Centre. It was funded by a €100,000 'Pathfinder' grant awarded to Rathdowney last year. 

The consultants analysed Rathdowney top to toe, including vacancy issues, traffic, its socio-economics, amenities and heritage buildings. 

Other listed objectives are to use the town’s strong central public design to encourage residents to use the town centre more,  to support the creation of a vibrant business sector, to increase usage of public transport, and to support community organisations in future plans to make Rathdowney a better place to live.

A newly formed Town Team of local and council figures will work on making the plan’s objectives and visions a reality. 

It is headed up by Denise Rainey from Laois County Council, as Rathdowney’s Town Regeneration Officer.

She urged the local community to come forward with any ideas as now with a plan in place, funding can easily be sought.

“Rathdowny faces dereliction, like other towns, a lot of people shop online and go less into the local shops. It has beautiful assets and now a Town Team. We are open to more people coming on board,” she said.