Cllrs air disappointment that community centre facility is not included in Dunville plans

Extensive plans for a playground, all weather pitch, teen hang out zone and a small coffee shop at community lands at Dunville have received a warm welcome from local councillors, but they expressed huge disappointment that the proposals do not include a community centre.

The plans which include an extensive lawn area with a circular walking track, a table tennis area, a teen zone with social seating, a biodiversity area and sensory garden on a four acre site, were presented to councillors at last week's meeting of Navan Municipal Council.

The proposals include a circular building with a hangover canopy, which would house a small coffee shop, with sheltered seating outside.

Councillors were delighted with the proposals but expressed disappointment that there were no plans for a community centre on the site, which includes 3.7 acres on one side of the road and a quarter of an acre on the other side.

Cllr Alan Lawes said the people of Johnstown had been waiting for years for a community building and local clubs had believed it would be provided on that site,

"What is proposed here is too small and it will be a huge disappointment. It doesn't address the need for a community centre.

"I don't want to be too negative because it is a positive plan - there are a lot of facilities there."

Cllr Yemi Adenuga said it was a brilliant plan and the people of Johnstown will be delighted to see it. "I am disappointed that there isn't a community centre in the plans, even on the space on the other side of the road," she said.

Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons said the proposals looked fantastic. He hoped the playing pitches would be as visible as possible. Pointing out that the facilities will be "massively used" he suggested more parking was needed. "The area across the road would be ideal as a community hall. There are a lot of residents associations, choral groups and the boxing club that are looking for a space" he said.

Cllr Emer Tóibín said she would like to see a bigger playground. "The teen area is great. Maybe there should be less of an area covered by trees so there will be better visibility.

"It is a huge disappointment there is no community centre. There are karate, Irish dancing and exercise classes who had hoped they would get a space there. "

She asked if there would be a community centre in the Farganstown development.

"If there isn't a community centre in Dunville, there needs to be one within spitting distance," she said.

Cllr John Duffy said the green area took up one third of the whole development and asked if it could be reduced to provide more playground space.

The Mayor, Cllr Eddie Fennessy said the proposals were incredible and would enhance the Johnstown area by giving the people a world class public amenity right on their doorstep.

"However, there is huge disappointment that a community centre is not included on the plan. There a multiple groups operating in the area. Each and every one of them expected to have a premises they could work from delivered on this project.

"I've seen the plans for the Farganstown development. It contains a substantial community facility that is tailor made to meet the needs of a local population of 15,000 people. It is unfortunate that the development is tied up with An Bord Pleanála. I really hope it comes through that process.

"Smaller projects such as Spicers Mill and Ma Butterly's in Johnstown Village will compliment the area. But they're just not large enough to provide the space required to keep all of the local community groups happy.

"Another option the council might consider is to provide a community centre at the Old Johnstown school which is empty following the transfer of the St Mary's Special School to it's new facility. It is quite a large site and I would say that it is well equipped to meet the needs of a large community.

"The old school is not under the charge of the council. However, given the demand that exists in the area, I call on the council to look at this as a possible solution."

Council Regeneration Officer, Pat Short told the meeting the proposals included play spaces, flexible spaces, a five a side 3G pitch, basketball pitch, a sensory garden pockets of native planting with seating, a building with a care and outdoor seating and a flexible open space for gathering and events located close to the cafe area.

He said they would be encouraging to walk and cycle as much as possible and there will be a bus stop at the new amenity.