Laois council takes big step to Ballyroan playground

Laois County Council has taken a major step toward the provision of a playground in Ballyroan.

After a big campaign that involved lots of community planning and fundraising, the local authority has advertised a tender inviting bids to design and build the facility in the Laois village located between Portlaoise and Abbeyleix.

The council says it is seeking tenders from experienced and competent contractors for the design, supply, installation and certification of a playground and Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), amenity area, car park at the site of the Old Boys National School.

Tender details seen by the Leinster Express / Laois Live say that the local authority has also told interested parties that the project will also involve associated ancillary works, site clearance, siteworks, landscaping (hard and soft) and fencing. 

The council wants bidders to adopt a 'universal' method to design. It says playgrounds and play equipment should be universally designed for all children, their parents, carers, teachers and supervisors.

The local authority says everybody should have the opportunity to play as it an important way of gaining social, physical, and emotional skills. Through play, people meet challenges in a fun way within a safe environment. The council adds that through imagination, many ordinary places become play spaces, such as a low wall along which to walk, a rail on which to swing, or a tree behind which to hide. 

The local authority estimates that the total cost will be €450,000. Tenders will be opened on June 20, while the council says the contract will be for four months.

Ballyroan Community Development CLG was allocated €500,000 under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme in 2024 for the facility on the site of the derelict school.

The community has also being fundraising to carry out other work on the site heart of the village with the costs for the entire development estimated at €1 million.

The primary school in Ballyroan village shut in 2017 but suffered vandalism and dereliction. Laois County Council confirmed in 2023 the it would €175,000 of taxpayers' money to buy it from Abbeyleix Paris for use as a site for the playground.

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A grant of €50,000 was subsequently secured to carry out a feasibilty study.

The highlight of subsequent fundraising was a Ballyroan Goes to Hollywood project that took place in 2024 which raised €120,000 for village enhancement.