This article is from page 3 of the 2006-12-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
ITS fate will not be known until early 2007 but, whatever the outcome, the people of Ennis must have a say in the future of Cusack Park.
That’s according to one local councillor who has strong family connections with the grounds.
At last Monday’s monthly meeting of Ennis Town Council, Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) said the people of Ennis must have their say before any final decision is taken.
Members were discussing the lack of suitable services for the elderly in the town as well as a proposal to construct a two-storey library in the Post Office Field.
“Where are the people of the town who owned Cusack Park? It was bought for €500 in 1934. Just because €80 million is plastered across the front of The Clare Champion doesn’t mean that the people of Ennis can be ignored in all this. Where are all these facilities gone to?”
Earlier this year, Cllr Neylon questioned whether or not the County Board retained full ownership of the grounds which were given by the Royal Irish Constabulary to the town in the 1920s.
Cusack Park was subsequently developed by the Dalcassians Club but after their demise in the forties the County Board then assumed ownership.
Cllr Neylon’s father Pat was a caretaker at the ground for 20 years from 1952 to 1977.
GAA chiefs in the county have delayed a decision on whether or not to sell the county grounds located in prime retail location.
At last month’s County Board meeting, a special committee was picked to assess the various options open to the Board.
It was recommended that, given the complexity of the proposals, more time should be given in order for a decision to be taken.
It was also confirmed at that meeting that 10 developers are interested in acquiring the site.
It is expected that, under the terms of the deal, the successful bid would have to first build a completed stadium at a location within a close proximity to Ennis.
The development would involve the construction of state-of-the-art facilities, including a 40,000 stadium, carpark, training facilities, floodlights, all-weather surfaces and a gymnasium. A site on the Quin Road has been mooted as one potential location for the new stadium.