The Galway City Council has denied sports clubs access to its latest all-weather pitches this week because of cold weather, but kept older astro turf pitches open.
Council officials will review their decision today (Thursday ) as the “Arctic air” Met Éireann predicted to arrive across Ireland this week has not materialised. All Ulster counties plus Sligo, Leitrim and Mayo have severe weather warnings in place, but Galway seems so far to have dodged the predicted -5C cold blast.
The local authority’s Parks Department notified a number of sports clubs on Tuesday that cold weather presented health and safety concerns, and potential surface damage worries. On the west side of the city it closed its €600,000 pitch facilities at Cappagh Park where Knocknacarra FC play, and the Drom Chaoin games area behind the Glen Oaks Hotel on Bishop O’Donnell Road. East of the Corrib, the O’Sullivan Athletic Facility in Mervue is shuttered.
A Parks official said health and safety was their “primary concern” as even a “light frosting” can reduce the shock-absorption capabilities of newer 3G and 4G surfaces. It is understood officials are also abiding by manufacturer and installers’ advice.
Corrib Park in Newcastle has a new 3G artificial surface pitch but has not been ordered to close. The Council’s all-weather astro pitches in Bohermore, and 11-year-old pitches at Fahy’s Field (Mervue United ) have remained open as it is understood their older playing surfaces have a greater cold temperature tolerance.
“I feel the children of Knocknacarra, especially Knocknacarra FC, are being badly served by this decision,” said city west councillor Níall McNelis (Lab ). “The Parks Department are probably being too conservative with the risk factors. I mean, when is an all-weather pitch not an all-weather pitch?” he asked. “Surely club officials themselves can make a sensible call when they look at the ground.”
The Council said payments will be reimbursed to users who have booked these closed facilities, and sports club executives will be contacted if advice changes.
