The initiative and endeavour of a group of Mayo teenagers has helped bring about a €400,000 community and activity zone that will bring physical and mental health benefits to a Mayo community for generations to come.
The Páirc Bheo project has been brought about because teenage members of Erris No Name Club identified the need for such a facility and formed a partnership with Mayo County Council to plan and develop Ireland’s first community activity zone. It was officially opened Friday May 6th, in Belmullet at 2.30pm. Funding for the project was secured from MFG Leader, the Corrib Gas Partners and the Bellacorick Enterprise Fund.
The mental health and activity zone features:
- An interchangeable football pitch and basketball court
- A tennis court
- An outdoor gym (featuring bikes, steppers, abdominal workout area, stretching tower)
- A Boccia Court
- A teenage activity area to include table football, table tennis, a skate trainer, Dutch Disc and NEOS electronic game (this is an electronic game for kids, teenagers and adults and tests their mind, balance, agility and stamina).
- Trim track (providing a safe facility for the community to run or walk on).
The activity zone has been developed at the side of Belmullet Civic Centre and local councillors, the project funders, community leaders, No Name Club representatives, and students and staff from Our Lady’s Secondary School and St Brendan’s Vocational School attended the official opening.
The teenage Hosts and Hostesses of Erris No Name Club identified the need for a health and fitness outlet within their community and partnered with the local authority to plan the development. The first meeting between the local authority and the youth organisation took place in April 2010 and the first sod on the project was turned last October.
The project came about after the teenagers participated in a No Name Club initiative on healthy eating and nutrition that got the teenagers talking about health and fitness. Their discussions focussed on the community only having activity facilities that were attached to sports clubs and the idea for the activity zone was born. The first meeting between Mayo County Council and Erris No Name Club took place in April 2010 and the first sod on the project was turned October last year. Funding for the development was sourced from local and national grant sources.
The project is being funded through the Leader initiative (€150,000), the Corrib Natural Gas Erris Development Fund (€170,000), the National Lottery via the Department of Health (€40,000), Bellacorick Enterprise Fund (€33,000) and funding the No Name Club won thru The Sun/Super Valu Spirit of the Community initiative (€2,000).
Edith Geraghty, Chairperson of Erris No Name Club, says: “This is a magnificent achievement for the teenage members of Erris No Name Club. They saw the need for a health and fitness amenity within the community and took it upon themselves to have such a facility delivered for young and old alike. We expect it to deliver much-needed and valued physical and mental health benefits to generations of young people and adults for years to come. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Mayo County Council for engaging with the young people and helping them make their concept become a reality. The young people have created an excellent legacy for themselves by playing a lead role in developing this outstanding community amenity.”
Con Nolan, Chief Executive Officer of the No Name Club says: “The No Name Club believes in the excellent capacity teenagers have to make valued contributions to every community in Ireland. This project highlights what can be achieved when young people are encouraged to play an active role within their local community and are provided with the support to do so. A core philosophy of the No Name Club is to develop teenagers’ confidence and leadership skills and the work undertaken to provide this community amenity will stand the hosts and hostesses of Erris No Name Club in great stead for the years ahead.”
Padraig Brogan, Senior Staff Officer in Mayo County Council adds: “Mayo County Council has built up a strong working relationship with Erris No-Name Club, commencing with the successful “One for Life!” Road Safety campaign and culminating in the Páirc Bheo recreational park project which will be of benefit, not just for teenagers, but for all sections of the community. The hard work and enthusiasm by the club has seen a development which will be the envy of the county! I would like to pay tribute to Peter Hynes, County Manager; Joe Beirne, Director of Services; Martin Keating, Senior Executive Officer; Peter Gill, Parks Superintendent and four local County Councillors for their support for this unique facility, as well as the funders and the contractor Creative Play for their advice and support throughout the process.”
Pictured at the opening of Pairc Bheo in Belmullet County Mayo which was a project run by the Erris No Name Club Counciller Micheal Burke cutting the ribbon watched by Edith Geraghty, Councillor Gerry Coyle, Dara Calleary TD, also in the picture members of Erris No Name Club and guests from the local community. Photo Ken Wright .
Edith Geraghty, Chairperon Erris No Name Club, pictured with some of the club members enjoying one of the rides at the opening of Pairc Bheo by Councillor Michael Burke Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council. Photo Ken Wright Photography 2011.
Further Comment
Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta, the community development company, supported the project through the LEADER programme and Eithne Dixon, programme Administrator comments: “The provision of this state-of-the-art facility encompasses many sections of the Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teo (MFG Teo) Business Plan for the delivery of the Rural Development Programme Ireland (2007-2013). Under the measure ‘Basic Services for the Economy & Rural Development’, the objective is to provide appropriate cultural and leisure facilities to local communities, not otherwise available to them. Under the LEADER programme, we are delighted to be involved in the provision of grant assistance of €144,513 to Erris No Name Club for the development of Páirc Bheo, which will benefit all elements of the Erris community, but specifically teenagers and those with special needs and the elderly.”
Paddy Cosgrove, a member of the board of the Corrib Natural Gas Erris Development Fund says: “We are delighted to be funding such a worthwhile project. Great credit is due to all members of Erris No Name Club, whose innovative idea to develop a safe recreational area for teenagers and young people in the Erris area has now been brought to fruition. Likewise great credit is due to Mayo County Council, whose technical input into the development has been invaluable. We have no doubt that this excellent facility will bring widespread benefits to the youth of the area for many years to come.”
Deputy Dara Calleary, a long-standing supporter of the project comments: “As a steadfast supporter and friend of Erris No Name Club since it’s foundation in 2006, I am particularly pleased that the initiative, commitment and dedication of the group has come to fruition with the opening of this magnificent facility. This Activity Zone will greatly enhance youth facilities in the Belmullet town and wider community and I have no doubt that Erris will see the benefits of this in both the short and long term. It is especially encouraging to witness young people taking a stand to identify and deliver something that was sorely lacking in the community and I hope now that the entire community make use of the facilities. I am delighted to have been able to assist Erris No Name Club in their endeavour to deliver this most worthwhile project and wish them continued health, happiness and success for the future.”
