New call to fence off Portlaoise pitch for 'homeless' soccer teams
‘This is a huge loss to Portlaoise’ - Laois councillor Tommy Mulligan
An open pitch beside Portlaoise Leisure Centre is unplayable for soccer games, because walkers and cyclists keep trekking a path across it.
Cllr Tommy Mulligan has asked Laois County Council to put a fence around the pitch.
However the council has no plan to do so, because in the long term, it will be the site of a new sports hall.
Another councillor also warned that neighbours were opposed to a fence before.
Cllr Mulligan tabled his motion to the September meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.
He asked the council to set aside money in its 2027 budget for a spectator fence.
“The soccer pitch hasn’t been used in years, there’s ridges and grooves on it from cyclists and pedestrians taking a short cut. The council can’t get insurance.
“This is a huge loss to Portlaoise. There’s toilets and a changing area right there, there is a great buzz when a match is on. The only way to protect it is a boundary fence.”
He explained the demand.
“There’s five soccer teams in Portlaoise that are homeless. Two play in Ballyroan, two on the astroturf in Durrow and the others float around other astro pitches.
“We need to get this pitch activated as soon as possible. It has huge benefits for Portlaoise. Unfortunately the sports hall is years away. I’m concerned and a bit disappointed that in the short term we’ve no plan,” Cllr Mulligan said.
He said that temporary stakes to discourage people crossing the pitch didn’t work.
Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald seconded the motion, noting the big investment in the past into the astroturf pitches at the leisure centre.
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said she isn’t opposed, but a plan many years ago for a fence was “staunchly opposed” by residents of Park View.
“I’d ask that whatever type of fence is proposed, that the council engage with the residents. At the end of the day, I want to see teams supported, we have to remember that there’s people living in the area looking right across at it,” Cllr Dwane Stanley said.
Cllr Mulligan said he just seeks a low fence, three to four foot tall.
Cllr Barry Walsh, MD Cathaoirleach, suggests a fence that can be later reused.
“I would suggest bolting the posts to a pad so it can reused elsewhere. Which means the initial cost has a sell-on future,” he said.
In reply to Cllr Mulligan’s motion, Laois County Council senior official Adrian Barrett said that following previous notices of motion, proposals are being developed to progress a sports hall at this location. He said those proposals would have a boundary fence.
Four years ago the council tendered for a contract to relay the pitch and add a 2.4m fence but the works were not done.