COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)
Monday, December 07, 2009
MOTION NO.5
MOTION: Councillor M. Corr
To ask the Manager to detail the progress of the Jobstown All-weather pitch in terms of footfall, range of activities etc to give an indication of past and present usage and to outline what changes have been implemented or may be necessary to keep the facility sustainable.
REPORT:
Initial Report on Upgrading of Facility Using the Grant Aid from Young Peoples Youth and Services Fund and Community Linkage Funds.
With the upgrade now more or less complete, there is a tremendous response and this is refelcted in an increase in the enquiries into using the facility.
Security measures were addressed firstly: anew perimeter wall was constructed, CCTV has been installed, fencing has been repaired and high netting erected around the All Weather Pitch. A new entrance which allows only permitted personnel onto the pitch stops undesirables from wandering in unannounced which previously caused a lot of friction and has reduced anti-social behavior. The car park has been extendedand thuis means that all users can now be accommodated , and road-side parking can be avoided. The secure facilities mean that clubs are happier to play there, and this has led to an increased usage.
New equipment has been purchased, and is being utilizised fully. This allows the All Weather Pitch Facility to open at weekends and host matches, which wasn’t previously possible.
Outreach
1. The kid’s tournament is ongoing and happens every Tuesday-Thursday (postponed during bad weather), average attendance is 20-30 children with a decent mix of boys and girls. We also have a footfall of between 20-30 young teenagers and young un-employed adults from the locality who play daily free of charge during the hours of 4-6pm
2. Jim Crawford (FAI Development Officer) is currently holding a Futsal camp here, with approximately 35-40 kids participating.
3. The JAY Project (based in Kiltalown N/C) holds several sessions per week for young teenagers.
4. Ultimate Frisbee is a new sport which we are encouraging here. A ladies group train and practice here every week and they are willing to promote the sport which is a new up and coming sport within the community.
Ongoing work projects
Painting the Facility – we are going to paint the inside and outside area’s of the facility. We are currently negotiating on the price of the paint (probation services) and plan to carry out these works immediately.
South Dublin County Council (Parks Department) in conjunction with the local school (St. Thomas) and Parish are to work on landscaping the perimeter.
Overall Report.
A full-time manager has been employed to drive the project. There is a good mix of affordable slots for local young people, as well as revenue slots for non-local users.
The manin local soccer team, Jobstown Celtic, not previously a user, is now one of the main clients. This was a priority objective at the outset of the strategy to reinvigorate the facility.
The local Community now view the All Weather Pitch as a community facility that facilitates their needs, and as such are encouraged to participate as much as possible. The All Weather Pitch has joined up with the SDCSP (Sports Partnership) Link 2 be active campaign.
The facility is running well and the staff are well trained and motivated. There are 2 J.I. workers and 3 C.E. Participants. The only major headache at present is the pitch, it is a sand based pitch and the water does not drain away quickly enough during heavy rain – it was a problem with the old style sand based pitch as the sand clogs up the tiny drainage holes on the pitch mat right across the pitch. This problem needs to be addressed, although the solution ios likely to be very costly.
| Average Daily Usage Mon-Fri | 4-6pm | 6-8pm | 9-10pm | Sat/sun |
| 2007 | 0-5 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0-15 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 2009 | 40-60 | 100-160 | 40-60 | 40-60 |