A state of the art playground was officially opened in one of County Clare’s fastest-growing population centres today.The new facility is the latest infrastructure development to take place in Sixmilebridge, which has grown rapidly since it benefited from a wastewater upgrade over a decade ago. Located on the Shannon Road beside the Bridge Complex, the playground was part-funded by Clare County Council (EUR123k) and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (EUR30k). Additional fundraising by the Sixmilebridge Playground Committee made up the balance of the project costs.
Speaking at today’s official opening ceremony, Mayor of Clare Madeleine Taylor Quinn acknowledged the commitment and efforts of the Sixmilebridge Playground Committee who have worked on the project in a voluntary capacity since 2006. The Mayor continued, “A project like this can only work with the support of the wider local community, especially in terms of fundraising and the ongoing commitment to the management and maintenance of the project. I am delighted to see that the playground is located on the same site as future community facilities to be provided by The Bridge Complex with the childcare service, Bridge Kids, currently under construction.”
Commenting on the recent considerable population growth in Sixmilebridge, she said, “The village’s strategic location between Shannon, Limerick and Ennis has resulted in a dramatic increase in the local population, which has subsequently necessitated the development of important infrastructure projects. In this regard, I will continue to encourage Clare VEC to pursue the establishment of a new second level school in Sixmilebridge.” Cllr. Taylor Quinn noted that the partnership approach adopted by local communities and Clare County Council to developing play facilities has had a significant role in improving the quality of life for communities across Clare.
“I look forward to seeing this positive working relationship continuing into the future with the result that we are making the county better places to live in and visit. Through the Council’s Playground Grant Scheme 2006-2009 a network of up to 25 playground projects will be in place in the near future. This represents a significant commitment to the development of play facilities for children in County Clare”, the Mayor concluded.
The Sixmilebridge Playground Committee is a subcommittee of The Bridge Complex - a Cooperative Society and Registered Charity whose objectives are to establish a community office and to provide a range of community services and supports.
