Club ‘crucified’ with ongoing problems in heating premises
By Maurice Garvey
AN ONGOING problem with the heating system is “crucifying” a pitch and putt club, which is forced to use portable heaters to keep the premises warm in cold weather.
Longmeadows Pitch and Putt Club in Ballyfermot received heating bills of €1,300 for January and €2,000 for November/December.
Permanent solution needed for the heating problem.
The Echo understands Dublin City Council, which owns the premises, has already made attempts to fix the heating system.
The pitch and putt club also has a coffee shop, and through a community employment scheme, takes on up to 16 part-time staff members throughout the year to cater for peaks and troughs of the industry.
“DCC is trying to solve it, it is not for want of trying, but I don’t think the heating system is great,” said Brian Carroll, CE Supervisor at Longmeadows.
“It’s not radiators or underground, but air comes out through the skirting boards. It went down last August, DCC had a contractor in to fix it, but it broke down again a few days later. It got to a serious stage and we got in portable heaters, but they are expensive.
“We knock them off, but they need to be turned on before people arrive for work and to keep the coffee shop warm for customers. As a community organisation, we are being crucified with heating bills.”
Independent Councillor Vincent Jackson said the city council need to find a permanent solution after “numerous” failed attempts to repair the heating.
At the Dublin South Central area meeting on Wednesday,
Cllr Jackson asked the local authority to ensure the heating system at Longmeadows clubhouse is repaired to “a reasonable standard and working effectively.”
“It is a great facility for the local community,” said Cllr Jackson.
Mr Carroll said the pitch and putt aspect does not bring in “what is used to” and the CE scheme helps run the facility.
“We wouldn’t be here other than we have the CE scheme, which started here in 2004,” he said.
“It’s ideal for a training centre with agencies working together and DCC running the premises. The coffee shop gives participants good quality work experience for the catering industry, and we also have good work experience for general operatives.”
