COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

HEADED ITEM NO. 4

INDOOR COMMUNITY SPACE IN LUCAN

Since 1996 the overall population of Lucan has risen by 23.4% from 22,179 in 2006 to 46,514 in 2011.  Communities have formed and new demands have been placed on the available community space.  Since 2007 there has been a decline on the construction side resulting in the collapse of revenue from development levies which formed the primary source of funding for new community facilities.

The Ballyowen Castle and Griffeen Community Centres were secured to address local needs.  The council planed to construct a major regional leisure/ community facility in Esker Park on the old Lucan Leisure Centre site and a second major leisure development was proposed for Adamstown.  It was expected that the provision of both of these facilities would have addressed the community space deficit.

In the absence of these new facilities, there now exists a demand which cannot be met within the current community facility portfilio and it is expected that this need will grow.  In general there are two types of community group needs - the first is general space which does not require facilities for storage etc and the second is where clubs have lots of equipment or have unique needs.  In the case of the former, in the short term, it may be possible to secure some additional activity space through greater access to local school sports halls and increased usage of the current stock.  This option will be developed by the community field team.

The provision of new community facilities to address the needs of Boxing clubs, Scouts etc is a greater challenge.  The capital funding of single interest organisations is no longer feasible.  Any new building would have to be multi-functional to facilitate the needs of several groups.  The construction of such a centre could cost €2million plus. Currently, such funding is unavailable from central government and the Council is unable to finance such a project at this point in time.

The community dept continues to assist and support community groups through the community grants scheme and the provision of a dedicated team of community workers. Financial assistance has been provided to the Esker Boxing Club towards the cost of new equipment and the Griffeen Group is supported by a dedicated community worker on a weekly basis. The accomodation needs of the Lucan South Scouts has been collated and efforts will continue to identify solutions which will improve their housing need.

The community team have commenced a Lucan Area Community Development Initiative 2013

Engage with more residents and liaise with service providers.

Identify community needs & issues.

Establish and develop contacts within our New Communities and residents who are new to the Lucan area.

Compile and present a report on these findings

Develop an appropriate action plan.

        

Notwithstanding the need for additional community space, the Lucan area has developed a vibrant and diverse range of community groups and activities.  

Community Facilities 

The following is not a definitive list of community facilities in the Lucan Electoral Area but it includes all facilities that the community team are aware of or have dealings with. It also includes a list of some of the community groups and activities operating in the Lucan area. 

** - facilities outside the Lucan Electoral Area

Sporting Facilities:

Parish Centres:

Parks:

There are a variety of green spaces, local regional parks available including

 Playgrounds:

There are several dedicated playgrounds available to residents which includes the following which are available for general public use

 Community Centres:

All community centres are managed by local community voluntary committees

Training Centres:

Hotels:

Primary Schools:

Each of these schools has small halls. Some of these schools allow their  facilities to be used by the community out of school hours.

Airports:

Hospitals:

Mental Health Services:

Youth Activity:

 Libraries

Others:

Groups & Clubs 

American Football

Athletics

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland

 Badminton

Basketball

Boxing

Boxercise – Adults and Teenagers – supported by SDCC Sports Office in the Bush Centre, Foxdene.

Bridge

Chess

Choirs

Counselling

Cricket

Cycling Clubs

 Dance Groups

Disability

Drama

Education

 Football Clubs

Lucan Sarsfield GAA 

Golf

Historical Society

Hockey

Irish Wheelchair Association

Irish Language & Cultural Groups

Local Radio

Martial Arts

Majorettes

Neighbourhood Watch Schemes

Older Persons Groups

Parent & Toddler Group

Rugby

Residents Associations

Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Ventures

Summer Projects

Women’s Groups

 Youth Clubs

The Community Services Dept will continue to work towards identifying solutions which will improve the supply of community space within the Lucan Area.