Deal struck sees big change in the running of vital Laois sports hall in Portlaoise

Laois County Council's green light and backing will see St Mary's Sports Hall in Portlaoise run by a new company set up with sports club members on the board.

The change in operation was revealed after Laois County Councillors to approved a so-called Section 183 notice at the January council meeting.

It means that the hall, the main base of Portlaoise Panthers basketball club, could now be upgraded with the backing of Laois County Council with public funds. It also gives security that clubs to use it for years to come.

The lease is for four years and seven months, at a rent of €100 a year. It covers a site of 0.2759ha, covering the rear hall and the carpark on the site.

The Panthers had threatened to walk away from the facility in the town centre. They also wanted Laois County Council to build a new sports facility. The local authority commissioned a feasibility study which backed the idea but funding couldn't be secured.

Now it seems an alternative has been found, at least in the medium term.

Laois County Council's Cathaoirleach Cllr Thomasina Connell proposed the deal.

“This has taken enormous work and is largely thanks to the parish particularly Monsignor John Byrne, and the previous committee and their loyalty to the hall.

“It is giving some certainty to clubs utilising the hall. It is 32 years ago since I start gymnastics in that hall. It is absolutely brilliant we have secured this, congratulations to all parties involved,” Cllr Connell said.

It was seconded by Cllr Willie Aird.

“I thank all associated and I'm delighted to bring this to where it is today. It is a lovely sports hall. We had a lot of meetings about it which the Panthers basketball club was involved in,” he said.

The agreement looks to be a settlement of a dispute that went public one year ago, when the Portlaoise Panthers club said that they were paying €45,000 in rent a year for the hall, but it was being allowed to fall into disrepair, and that roof leaks on the floor were a health and safety issue for players.

They said at that time that having been told it would cost €620,000 to repair the building, with a grant paying some leaving a bill of €360,00, that they offered to fund €310,000 of that but would need a lease signed, but this offer was declined by the sports hall committee.

The committee defended their rent costs and said that extensive refurbishments were done, and that the basketball club was allowed to run a canteen for profit at no charge.

“Were it not for Covid, a new extension and renovation works to include new toilets, changing rooms, referee changing areas, entrance and lobby area with viewing wall, office, mechanical ventilation system and more would have been complete,” the committee said a year ago.

More below map.

Cllr Barry Walsh noted that the hall is used by Portlaoise Panthers, among other groups and clubs.

“It is great to see certainty,” he said.

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Meanwhile Cllr Aisling Moran suggests that the county get a sports stadium.

“Is there any chance there would be a stadium with proper seats?” she said.

“I would back any application for a project of that magnitude,” Cllr Connell agreed.