Philip Durkin welcomed all who were present to celebrate the commencement of the next stage of this Swinford Amenity park development. Philip thanked Leader North East and the Local Action Group (LAG) for their preliminary approval of €168,000 towards the new Astro turf development.

The proposed grant represents 75% of the contract costs being funded under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme. The additional funding will be sourced through the Community Lotto which is supported by the local community in Swinford and online.

Astro turf site and car park and pitch

Philip said that “It is a great honour to host our Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary, Rose Conroy Walsh TD, Alan Dillon TD, Our Cathaoirleach for Claremorris Swinford MD Cllr. Gerry Murray, Cllr. Neil Cruise-LAG Member, Cllr. Michael Smyth and Cllr. John Caulfield.

Philip welcomed all and thanked Minister Calleary for honouring the Amenity Park with his first official sod turning as minister. Philip said that the Amenity Park appreciated the support from Peter Leahy- Mayo LGFA Senior Manager, Yvonne McEvilly Mayo LGFA Chairperson, Ita Hannon, Connacht LGFA administer, Regina Mullaney, Chairperson Swinford Killasser LGFC Swinford Killasser ladies, Justin Salmon & James Golden of Leader North East, Kieran Grealy, Conrad Harley, Austin Meehan and Declan Ginnley Mayo County Council, Pat Dunne School Principal-Scoil Muire agus Padraig.” Philip thanked Joanne Grehan Director of Service – Mayo County Council for her assistance in the project and the original Amenity park and Lotto committee members.

This development of the Amenity Park commenced in 1997 when the land was transferred to the community and over that time the committee, past and present have transferred what was a disused site into a wonderful community facility. The works carried out by the Community Employment Scheme under the stewardship of the late Brendan McNulty and current Supervisor, Pat O’Neill. Philip have been invaluable in developing the park into the wonderful facility that is available to all the community. Philip thanked Minister Michael Ring for all the

assistance and funding that he and his department gave to the Amenity Park over the years with the new fence, the 200m track and the 560m walkway.

During the early days in the current Covid -19 crisis the walkway has been invaluable for our community. Padraig Gavin was present, and it was noted that he has clocked many miles around the walkway.

The Astro turf will enhance the facility and will open new opportunities for our community. The Astro turf will be constructed to the highest standard with additional shock pad underlay and to full GAA/FAI synthetic surface specification. The 80m X48m pitch will have a net divide that will allow for two 5 a side soccer cross pitch. The full surface will be used for Gaelic training and warmups.

Our existing football pitch is one of the finest in the County and is the home pitch of Swinford Killasser Ladies and the preferred venue for Mayo Ladies Senior team. Mayo Ladies under the management of Peter Leahy have won all games played in Swinford. The facility has been booked for the Mayo vs Tyrone championship game on the 7/8 of November 2020.

Thanks to Ciara Durkin, a member of Swinford Killasser Ladies Gaelic team and Graduate Architect for all her advice and work in preparing the drawings and contract documents for the project.

I would Like to thank Leader, Justin Salmon and James Golden Mayo East for all the assistance in guiding us and granting preliminary approval for this project.

I would like to thank the members of the Amenity Park and the Community Lotto Committee for all their dedicated hard work in developing the Amenity Park. I would like to thank Swinford Killasser LGFC and the Community Employment scheme who assist with the Community Lotto. To date over 60% of the spend at this facility has been from the Community Lotto.

I would like to thank all the contractors who tendered for the project and wish our Contractor – JNC Premier Pitches- Adrian Cummings, the best of luck in the project. Premier pitches have confirmed that they will not be able to commence works until September 2020 and subject to full approval from LAG, works will commence at that stage with an expected 10-week construction period.

Fr Dermott Meehan blessed the pitch and all the children and people that would use it in the future. Fr. Dermott read a passage from the bible outlining the importance of community and working together.

Dara Calleary, Minister of Agriculture, Food & the Marine thanked all that attended and noted this was his first official duty as a Minister and it is an honour to turn the sod at this magnificent facility. He said it was a credit to the current members and he said the last time he was at the amenity park was to remember a previous Director of the Company and Community Employment Supervisor, Brendan McNulty RIP.

Minister Calleary was delighted to see Padraig Gavin, retired school principal and Councilor and community champion. Minister Calleary wished the Mayo LGFA Senior Manager Peter Leahy and the Mayo LGFA team the best of luck in the Championship and he hoped the Astro turf would be completed in time for their game in November. It is unique to see a facility focused on ladies Gaelic Football and I wish all the very best of luck. He also thanked Fr Dermott for administering the parish and diocese during these challenging times.