The inclusion of a 4G astro pitch for Merlin in the city council's draft budget has been welcomed by residents' association chairperson Donal Lynch.
Lynch, who is a member of a group promoting the project, says an extra €55,000 is needed.
"There is already €84,000 in the development kitty, thanks to previous Galway City Council budgets and the capital sports grant - with the support of Cllr Terry O flaherty and Stephen Walsh of council's parks department. But we need a further €55,000 to complete the project, and hopefully this will be forthcoming in the 2021 budget."
The 4G astro pitch for the Merlin estate will be multi-purpose, and Councillor Lynch says such facilities help young and old to be more active, interact with each other, and are essential to personal health and well-being.
"With the proposed development of 105 new housing units in the Merlin estate's development, both indoor and outdoor facilities are needed. They are the fibre that nets communities together with the growth in population," he says.
Tender documents will be advertised in 2021 for design consultants to prepare designs and specifications for a number of projects, and prepare planning applications where required. These include Miller's Lane all weather hockey pitch, Mervue Park all weather pitch, and Merlin's Bothar Waithman. Subject to available funding, it is hoped all can be ready in 2022.
