Pictured today at the sod turning at Blackwater Park L-R: Meath County Council Chief Executive Jackie Maguire, Trevor Foster, Foster Associates Architects, Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Cllr. Sean Drew, Niall McGaughran, Crosserlough Constuction Ltd, Mayor of Navan Cllr. Padraig Fitzsimons, Barry McMenamin, Crosserlough Construction Ltd, Fiona Fallon, Senior Executive Officer, Meath County Council and Barry Lynch, Director of Services, Meath County Council.

Sod turned on new changing facilities at Blackwater Park

Ann Casey

Published: Thu 27 Jan 2022, 9:33 PM

Last updated: Fri 28 Jan 2022, 1:03 PM

New changing rooms, toilets and shower facilities will be in place in Navan's Blackwater Park by the end of the year.

Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Sean Drew turned the first sod for the new facility on Monday morning along with the Mayor of Navan Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons and Chief Executive, Jackie Maguire.

The project will see the construction of a single storey building which will include changing rooms with shower facilities, public toilets and a changing place facility with additional disability friendly equipment such as a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench, a full room coverage ceiling track hoist system, a centrally located toilet bowl with space either side for transfers/assistants and a safe and clean environment.

Following an open tendering competition, Crosserlough Construction Ltd has been appointed to construct the building. The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year (2022) at a cost of €606,606 inclusive of VAT.

The project will provide changing facilities for the many users of Blackwater Park including those who participate in the park run, those who use the GAA, rugby and soccer pitches and the children’s playground.

Speaking at the event Mayor of Navan Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons said: “It has been fantastic to see so many people using Blackwater Park on a daily basis, it has become an oasis for the local community throughout the pandemic. The development of the toilets and changing rooms is welcome news for all those people who have been using the park and especially good news for sports groups and individuals involved in activities here.”