Cautious welcome to sports hall plans in Adamstown
By Maurice Garvey
AN AGREEMENT has taken place between major stakeholders regarding the future of a long awaited sports hall in Adamstown.
Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin has given a “cautious welcome” to a new agreement between the Department of Education, the Education and Training Board, South Dublin County Council and Castlethorn Developments, aimed at providing a school sports hall and community centre at Adamstown Community College.
Details of the meeting between the four stakeholders were revealed in a parliamentary question reply from Minister Jan Ó Sullivan to Deputy Ó Broin.
Deputy Ó Broin said: “For too long Adamstown has been left without a community centre and a school sports hall. While ultimately the developer Castlethorn is responsible for failing to live up to their responsibilities, the Department of Education should have intervened sooner to resolve the matter.
“Last week I asked the Minister for Education for an update. In reply, she informed me that an agreement has been reached between the various agencies to provide the much needed facilities.”
Adamstown CC opened in 2009, has over 900 students, but lacks facilities for PE, general exams, assemblies or events.
Meetings have since taken place between the council, ETB and the developer with a view to submitting a revised planning application for the provision of a shared school and community facility.
“I would like to give a cautious welcome to these developments,” said O’Broin.
He continued: “It is absolutely crucial that parents of children in Adamstown Community College and the wider Adamstown community are fully consulted before any new planning application is submitted.
“I have conveyed my view to both the Minister for Education and senior council management.”
O’Broin says it is “crucial” the centre meets the needs of the entire community and that the school has “adequate sports facilities.”
“The Adamstown Input Group representing the wider community and the parents campaign group must be involved in this process at the earliest stage,” said O’Broin.
