Editorial: Prioritising community facilities for all in Ferrybank

A huge crowd attended a public meeting in the Primary Care Centre in Ferrybank last Thursday night, as a prime site is set to be developed by Kilkenny County Council for the north Waterford suburb. 

A broad range of suggestions were put forward for the site, including playing pitches, a sports complex, a swimming pool and even a graveyard, though the latter did not seem to garner broad backing.

What was clear from the suggestions made, and the comments of those in attendance, was that Ferrybank is poorly serviced in terms of amenities for its growing population.

Clubs are under pressure for pitch space for their practice, there are no facilities for arts and similar community activities. There is no swimming pool. 

The development of the former Clover Meats site into a dedicated community facility is therefore a huge opportunity for the area, and one which locals were keen to impress must be delivered in an optimum manner, which benefits and caters to broad community needs. 

Somewhat disappointing was the lack of political representation at the meeting. 

In attendance were Damien Donoghue, who ran in the Piltown constituency for Fine Gael in last year’s local elections, but who wasn't successful on that occasion, and Carlow-Kilkenny TD Natasha Newsome Drennan of Sinn Féin. None of the sitting councillors for the Piltown District, who hold their meetings in the Ferrybank Shopping Centre building, were present, or if they were, they were keeping a low profile and remaining very quiet indeed!
Both Mr Donoghue and Ms Newsome Drennan spoke on the matter of a swimming pool. Mr Donoghue was in favour, while Ms Newsome Drennan outlined difficulties that running such a facility might pose.

Playing pitches garnered considerable support - with Abbey Community College Principal Michelle Jefford and local clubs putting forward arguments in their favour. 

Ms Jefford said the school faces challenges due to the lack of a playing surface and the limited space for development on their own grounds. They aspire to have access to a maximum-size playing surface "in the future development of the Clover Meats site".

It is understood that playing pitches will form part of the facilities, with landscape architect for the Clover project, JJ Digby of Digby Brady, outlining his preference for all-weather pitches given the intensity of the demand.

It was heartening to hear suggestions from former Clover Meats workers for the site - including the suggestion of a former garden being reinstated as part of the works.

A dominant ask of those in attendance was for a sports complex as part of the overall vision.

The building currently in situ will likely be demolished, as it was described to have significant structural flaws, as well as an asbestos roof and no insulation. To bring the building up to modern standards would make “no financial sense”, Mr Digby said.

The meeting was the start of what will hopefully provide a much-needed injection in terms of community facilities into the growing north Waterford suburb. 

We have recently reported in the Waterford News & Star on instances of anti-social behaviour within the community. Providing high-quality amenities for all age groups will go a long way to address this, in an area that holds such promise with the imminent opening of the next section of the South East Greenway and the development of the North Quays.