€7.5m boost for Tara Road Community Centre and Park Project

PLANS for a major new community and recreational facility in Laytown have been recommended to proceed, with €7.5 million in Government funding allocated to the Tara Road Community Centre and Park Project.

The funding forms part of a Government investment programme supporting 120 projects across every local authority in the State.

The announcement means more than €14 million is expected to be invested in the project, when combined with Meath County Council’s reported €7.5 million commitment.

Fine Gael Cllr Sharon Tolan welcomed the funding, describing it as a “transformative investment” for East Meath.

“This is a hugely significant day for East Meath and I am absolutely delighted to see €7.5 million secured for the Tara Road Community Centre and Park Project,” she said.

“East Meath has experienced enormous population growth over many years, but community infrastructure has struggled to keep pace. This project is about addressing that deficit and delivering the facilities that local families, community groups and residents have long been calling for.”

Cllr Tolan said she was proud to have played a key role in advancing the project, including championing the original purchase of the six-acre site and ensuring that a dedicated community centre formed part of the overall vision. She also paid tribute to council staff, community groups, organisations and volunteers involved.

The proposed Laytown/Bettystown Community Building and Amenity Park is planned for a 2.5-hectare site on Tara Road, Bettystown, close to schools, residential areas and public transport links.

A Part 8 Chief Executive’s Report prepared by Meath County Council recommends that the development proceed.

The project will include a two-storey community building with a café, community rooms, a full-size multi-functional sports hall, changing facilities, public toilets, storage, a viewing gallery and flexible spaces for community, sporting, educational and social activities.

The wider park will feature a skatepark, pump track, BMX and cycling tracks, a learn-to-cycle area, two padel courts and a pickleball court.

Plans also include play areas, picnic and gathering spaces, an open lawn, community orchard, outdoor classroom, table tennis facilities, landscaped green areas, pedestrian and cycle routes, bicycle parking, seating and lighting.

The development is intended to provide a central community and recreational hub for Laytown, Bettystown, Mornington East, Donacarney and Mornington.

Five submissions were received during public consultation, all supportive of the project, although several sought changes to the detailed design.

Southeast Meath Foróige and the East Coast Family Resource Centre called for dedicated youth facilities, while the Drogheda Cycling Group sought covered and secure bicycle parking and further traffic-calming measures.

Protect East Meath supported the development but called for standard car parking spaces to be removed, retaining accessible parking only, and urged greater access by walking, cycling and public transport.