From the Galway City Tribune – Works to advance master plans for the so-called ‘Kingston lands’ are to get underway in September, with the appointment of a consultant on the project due in October.

Galway City Council has confirmed a ‘multi-disciplinary consultant’ will be appointed in October, with a feasibility and concept design for the project due in the fourth quarter of this year.

The master plan, approved by councillors in 2017, includes for the children’s playground; changing rooms/community centre; outdoor gym equipment; a pedestrian walkway; a two-way cycle path; and 75 parking spaces.

A hockey pitch will be developed at Millars Lane as part of the plan. A pitch that can be used for both GAA and rugby, and a multi-use games area were also included in the outline plans, which will be finalised as part of this process.

A preliminary design is anticipated for the project by the second or third quarter of next year to allow the project go for planning permission and, dependent on planning, the project will then go to tender.

Local councillor, Donal Lyons (Ind), said this timeline was something he had been seeking for five years and it was very welcome that the Council had now set out its strategy for delivering much-needed recreation and amenity facilities in the Knocknacarra area.

“These plans have been lying dormant for a long number of years. Councillors approved the master plan in 2017 and I have been saying since that we need to get a move on because this is a long time in the making.

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“Finally, we have a timeline for how it’s going to happen which is very welcome. These facilities are very important for the Knocknacarra area where there will be a lot of residential development in the next number of years – and we need the amenities to be there,” said Cllr Lyons.

One hurdle facing the Kingston project was that around half of the lands identified as part of the master plan are not in public ownership, he continued.

“I would urge the Galway City Council to purchase the private lands involved and develop it all together,” added Cllr Lyons.

Meanwhile, the Council has also unveiled a timeline to advance the master plan for Southpark in the Claddagh, with planning to be sought after a preliminary design is carried out in quarter two or quarter three of next year.

Included in the master plan is a bigger children’s playground; upgraded pitches with an astro turf soccer pitch and looped walk; and better lighting and seating with an outdoor exercise station located near Mutton Island.

In the strategy circulated to councillors this week, the Council anticipates seeking planning permission once that design is carried out next year.

Similarly, a preliminary design and planning agreement for Renmore Neighbourhood Park Project is to be completed in the same time period following the appointment of a multi-disciplinary consultant in February of 2024.

These three projects form part of the Recreation and Amenity Capital Framework which also includes for projects at Barna Lough Rusheen City Park; Terryland Forest park; and Merlin Woods City Park.

“The advancement of these projects will be agreed pending progress on the first three prioritised projects [at Kingston, Southpark and Renmore],” states the framework update provided to councillors.