After a decades-long wait, Corrib Park has two new sports facilities but there are serious issues with both that could undermine their success.

The Corrib Park grass pitch behind the Westside church and library has just been completed and Galway City Council are in the process of finalising the hand over, a spokesperson confirmed.

“Galway City Council will now liaise with local clubs on arrangements for the use of same.”

The small astro turf pitch at Corrib Park has also undergone a compete overhaul and was competed in July. But it has still not be open for use, with people barred from entry by a locked gate.

The Council had proposed that it be included in the licensing system which gives access to groups once they pay a fee. This is the case for the O’Sullivan Park running track at Mervue where the fee is between €10 and €12 an hour. There are 20 hours without charge available each week to the public during off peak times but these must be booked in advance.

“Discussions have been ongoing between Galway City Council and local Residents’ Association on arrangements for use of Corrib Park Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA).

Local resident and Independent Councillor Mike Cubbard said this was completely unacceptable for the Corrib Park Residents Association as the space had always been open for use to locals and located in their estate.

“I went with the residents’ association to meet with the Council about securing access for their kids and their own groups and for it not to become a commercial entity and causing a parking nuisance.

“We thrashed out an agreement and have spent five weeks going back and over. The Council want the residents’ association to have a constitution and to have their own insurance before they’ll agree to giving them hours. They’re also proposing to charge them €8 an hour to use it.

“Myself and Cllr Josie Forde are proposing to come up with some funding plan to give local residents access to it on a trial basis, where they will have responsibility to open and close it and ensure it’s used properly.”

Pictured: The new grass pitch behind the Westside Community Centre and library. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.