COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
HEADED ITEM NO. 13
Update on the placing of a temporary storage/dressing room facility on Elkwood open space
The Council provides a broad range of recreational amenities and facilities in the parks and open spaces of the county and endeavours to optimise the use of these facilities both directly, and in partnership with, local sporting and recreational organisations. As a result, sports clubs and organizations across the county, through much valued voluntary effort, provide organised and informal recreational opportunities for thousands of children, teenagers and adults on a regular basis throughout the year.
While the Council and individual clubs have made considerable progress, supported by successive Sports Capital Programmes, to provide permanent dressing room accommodation in public parks with active recreation facilities, it has not been possible to do this in each and every location where the Council provides such facilities. In such cases, it has been an established practice to facilitate local club(s) seeking to provide temporary facilities pending the provision of permanent units. The temporary facility is usually in the form of converted shipping containers which have proven to be robust, secure and generally resistant to vandalism. They are not ideal but they do provide a reasonable interim solution.
In relation to Elkwood Park, the Council was approached by Knocklyon United FC to install a container on the open space to provide changing and storage facilities for the teams using the pitch. While the Council consented to the proposal from the club, it is acknowledged that the level of consultation with local residents has been less than satisfactory.
A meeting took place on site between the Council and the Butterfield and District Residents Association on Friday 27th January to discuss the matter. The full background to the situation was outlined including the history of the pitch lettings and how the container came to be sited in the existing location as well as the efforts made to find the least intrusive location for it. It was explained that the Council would ideally have liked to consult locally and apologies for this were made. The Residents Association set out the reasons why they wanted the container moved and while the Association were reluctant they did agree to a further meeting taking place with both the Club, themselves and the Council.
This meeting took place on Friday 3rd February 2012. Whilst there were understandable differences of opinion on both sides the meeting was conducted in a positive manner and it was agreed that the Residents would indicate how its members would like to see the open space developing in the future and where the club fitted into the proposal. The Residents also wished the container to be removed before they reverted with proposals but the Council was not in a position to agree this. Knocklyon United FC indicated that the club wished to have cordial relations with the residents and that the club had members from the Elkwood area. This was also mentioned by the residents. The residents for their part were fully supportive of the work of the club in providing activities for young people. It is expected that the Residents Association will revert with proposals in the short term and a further meeting will then take place to, hopefully, resolve the issue in a manner that can accommodate the plans and concerns of both parties.
In relation to a timescale for the club – Knocklyon United – to be in a position to provide a permanent structure to replace the existing on site container: this would be dependant on a number of factors including the ability of the club to source the necessary funding, the statutory planning process and the associated legal agreements that would have to be put in place between the Council and the Club. This will be a difficult project in the current economic climate but this club club is very professional in the business it undertakes. The Council would have confidence, based on previous experience with this club, and with the agreement of all parties, that it would be possible, to bring forward proposals for a permanent dressing room facility for consideration under the statutory planning process within the next two years.
The club, from the information available to the Council, has also managed traffic and litter control for matches to a very high standard. In addition, the club has two dressing room complexes in place on Council open space – at Delaford and Glenlyon which have been also been managed to high standard with little if any impact on nearby residential communities.
The Elected Members will be updated on progress on the matter.