Commitment secured to repair leaking Laois sports hall

The estimated €100,000 repair of the home of the Portlaoise Panthers is expected to begin this summer. 

It follows a commitment from Laois County Council to repair the leaking roof of St Mary’s Hall in the heart of Portlaoise.  

A monthly meeting of Laois County Council also agreed to an eight year lease of land and St Mary’s Hall to Portlaoise Sports Hall Company Ltd for €100 a year.    

Sinn Fein Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said the club has had to abandon matches due to the water leaking into the sports hall from the roof.

Council Director of Services Donal Brennan said the council has met with different contractors and was examining options for the repairs.  He said the council will soon go to tender for a contractor to repair the damage.  

Council Chief Executive John Mulholland said the defects in the roof cannot be tolerated and the council will get the best contractor at the best price. 

Fine Gael Cllr Willie Aird described it as a historic day as the lease was agreed. 

“The roof needs to be done as a matter of urgency,” he told the monthly meeting. 

He sought assurances and a timeline for the works. “Can we say we will see work on the roof  in July,” he asked. 

 Mr Brennan said he expected to go to tender in six weeks and the work would be carried out “this year, as early as we can get a contractor.”  He also said the work wouldn’t be subject to grant approval. 

Fine Gael Cllr Thomasina Connell said she and other councillors had visited the building at the weekend. She said there are significant issues with the roof. 

“We have a commitment to the Hall as lease holders,” she pointed out. 

Fianna Fail Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said she was delighted to see the longer lease agreed. 

“We have spoken to Donal and he has agreed that the roof repairs have to be done,” she said. 

“Laois County Council are going to be responsible for this and are going to get the roof fixed,” she said. 

Meanwhile, Councillor Stanley and Labour Cllr Marie Tuohy got support for a joint motion calling for improved sporting facilities in Laois.  

They asked: "This Council take a lead in bringing together all relevant stakeholders, ie Sports Ireland and Basketball Ireland along with Laois County Council to make progress and advance a Sports Hall in the County."

Cllr Dwane Stanley said the population of Laois has grown and there is a need for additional sporting facilities. She said St Mary’s Hall is used by the Portlaoise Panthers but there are 25 other groups using the facility as well. 

Cllr Tuohy said that while it was good news that the roof was being repaired there is a need for more sports facilities in the county. There was unanimous support for the motion at the council meeting.