A new strategy aimed at encouraging greater participation in recreational activities is being developed in County Limerick.
The Limerick County Development Board has announced details of an extensive consultation programme on the proposed strategy that includes a public meeting in Adare in early September.
A multi-agency steering group is overseeing the development of the strategy, which is designed to identify and meet the recreational needs of Limerick County for the period 2009-2013. The committee is made up of representatives from Limerick County Development Board, Limerick County Council, County Limerick VEC, Limerick Youth Services, Foróige, An Garda Síochána, HSE, Limerick County Community and Voluntary Forum, Ballyhoura Development Ltd, West Limerick Resources Ltd, County Limerick Local Sports Partnership, and the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
Cllr. David Naughton, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council said he believed the strategy had the potential to contribute significantly to an improved quality of life for everyone in County Limerick. He added: “The potential benefits that this strategy will bring to everyone will be significant in terms of health, balanced lifestyle, and community development and integration”.
According to Mr. Dara McGuigan, Administrative Officer with the Limerick County Development Board: “Recreation is seen as including physical activity, sport, arts and crafts, music and dance, hobbies and pastimes. This broad ranging strategy will consider existing and future recreation trends, assess service provision in current facilities and future demand. The plan will also examine future funding and management possibilities.”
Mr. McGuigan noted the strategy would focus on specific target groups such as children, youth, older adults and people with a disability, as well as areas of disadvantage. He continued: “While acknowledging that recreational activity will often lead to participation in competitive sport, it has been decided for the purposes of the Recreation Strategy not to look at the area of competitive sport. Such a strategy has already been developed by the Local Sports Partnership.”
Mr. McGuigan stated that any commitments set out in the strategy would be challenging, relevant and focused on addressing the needs identified through the upcoming public consultation process.
The development of a recreation strategy in County Limerick is one of the objectives of a government strategy launched in 2007, entitled “Teenspace: A National Recreation Policy for Young People”. Included in the objectives of Teenspace is the development of local recreation strategies for young people by every City and County Development Board in Ireland.
Members of the public are invited to attend a public meeting on the Recreation Strategy For County Limerick in the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare, at 7:30pm on 9th September 2009. Submissions or observations regarding Recreation in County Limerick should be forwarded to Limerick County Development Board, County Hall, Dooradoyle, Co Limerick.
