Laois County Council reveals new option for a Portlaoise sports arena

The Portlaoise sporting community's demands for a new multi-use arena have been met with a reality check by Laois County Council over the costs.

Council CEO John Mulholland has poured cold water on the idea of buying land for a shared facility to serve the fast growing town.

He also estimates that building such an arena could cost up to €80 million.

At the April 29 meeting of Laois County Council, his last before retirement, Mr Mulholland outlined an "emerging scenario" on how facilities for local soccer, basketball, athletics and other sports clubs could be built.

"This has received considerable debate, public consultation and reports. It is coming down to brass tacks now.

"We are looking at the most feasable, cost effective way, with the use of sports capital funding.

"To purchase a new site would be too expensive, particularly in the Portlaoise area. I don't think there'd be grounds for it given that Laois County Council has lands in Portlaoise," he said.

The council instead suggest installing facilities at two separate locations.

One would be beside Portlaoise Leisure Centre, at Moneyballytyrrell. The second would offer "superior standard" outdoor sports pitches with changing rooms, at the council's Tyrrell's Land 26 acre site off the Stradbally Road. That site is stuck at planning stage for over four years, for a mix of housing, parklands and sports facilities.

"This is an emerging scenario that would be fleshed out in the future. It would require an assessment and design for additional upgrades of facilities at Moneyballytyrrell. At Tyrrell's land given access there, servicing it would be difficult. 

"The expenditure of additional lands would not be required. It would be ready for capital funding submission in due course," Mr Mulholland said.

He said that a previous feasibility study put construction at €25 million but estimates multiples of that now.

"that was done some years ago. At costs now, there's one being built in Mullingar. It is costing €50, to €80 million. These are major projects. You could take up half the annual grant allocation with it," the CEO said.

It got a mixed reaction from councillors.

"Moneyballytyrrell is not acceptable at all. It's too small. Clubs can't even get a booking there. Small organisations like soccer and very frustrated. If you're talking about putting it in the back of Tyrrell's Land, you can't go in at the back with the housing estate on the Stradbally Road, they've made that clear. We have to think of the growing population. This is a really huge project but people are looking for it," Cllr Willie Aird said.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley welcomed the progress.

"I thank the CEO and management for taking on board our concerns and that of the wider community. We have to make this a reality. There is a huge need for a sports complex. Moneyballytyrrell might be a bit too small but both would be accessible," she said.

Cllr Marie Tuohy was not so positive.

"Any progress is good but we have to be really careful that it is actually big enough. I'd hope it will be done soon but we have to accommodate all the needs," she said.

"I'm disappointed. This is one of the major issues on the doorsteps. People want it, people need it. There are a lot of minor sports we don't cater for. But I think the site is too small. I don't think we are being ambitious enough. We need to think big with the population of Portlaoise doubling in the last 12 years," Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said.

Cllr Ben Brennan said a sports project in his local area began with buying a six acre site.

"We bought three more lately, we had no choice. Get a good feasibility study, look at the finished project you want. There's millions in grants being given away. This is not just for basketball, its for football, soccer, athletics. We are the most run down county for athletics, only for St Abban's there's nowhere to go. But it's going to take time," he said.

On March 17, the Panthers basketballers led a protest march after the the St Patrick's Day parade joined by other clubs and the wider community, to demand a new public sports complex for the growing town.