Request for fencing at Laois park rejected

Laois County Council has rejected a request for fencing at the People’s Park in Portarlington. 

Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins asked in a motion “that Laois County Council erect fencing around the basketball court in The People’s Park in Portarlington.”

In a written response, Sports and Leisure Officer at Laois County Council, Ann Marie Maher wrote: “The People’s Park has recently been redesigned to open up recreational spaces within the park and be more inclusive. There is no health and safety requirement to fence off the mini court and fencing will not improve the playing experience. It is planned to install some seating near the court to encourage socialisation and a fence would exclude this. If other factors need to be considered the Sports and Leisure Office is happy to discuss with Cllr Mullins.” 

Cllr Mullins admitted he hadn’t played basketball since he was a teenager. However, he said, “the basketball players, they are the people that came to me about this.”

He explained that the lack of netting means the ball continues to roll a good distance from the courts when it goes out of play and results in the game being disrupted. 

“I don’t accept the answer,” said Cllr Mullins. He disagreed that the fence wouldn’t improve the playing experience and said the  basketball players are the ones looking for changes. 

Cllr Mullins said the matter needed to be revisited and he told the meeting of Portlarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District that he would contact the Sports and Leisure Officer himself. 

The motion was seconded by Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy.