A medium term plan launched by Athlone Tidy Towns, laden with numerous aspirational enhancements, signifies the growth ambitions for the town from 2021 to 2023.
Formally launched on Friday of last week, the plan, which is the fruition of a consultation process with Athlone-Moate Municipal District and the wider business community, aims to sustain Athlone as a prominent town in which to live and work and encourage those who visit to avail of and enjoy the ever developing attractions on offer.
In tandem with the three urban regeneration projects planned for the town and the construction of a new cycleway bridge across the River Shannon, due for completion in 2023, such progressive developments bode positively for Athlone.
Speaking during the launch, Gerry Johnson, Chairperson, Athlone Tidy Towns, noted that the committee, formed in 2006, continually works with the wider community to present Athlone in an expertly maintained manner.
“Our committee constantly works to help the wider community keep the streets and estates of Athlone looking well maintained. We have made great progress over the intervening period with our town being the recipient of a Silver Medal in the 2019 National Tidy Towns competition, which was the last time it was held,” Gerry stated.
Invited by Westmeath Community Development to avail of professional facilitation in the preparation of the medium term plan, Athlone Tidy Towns were ably assisted by Sharon Eastwood of Woodrow Sustainable Solutions, who also fills the role of National Tidy Towns competition adjudicator.
“The framework of this plan is modelled on the requirements set out in the application form for the current National Tidy Towns competition. The competition has not changed much over the last couple of years, with the exception of the nature, biodiversity and sustainability categories.
“Most local tidy towns groups find these categories rather difficult to handle and we are learning new approaches to comply with these sections. Both Athlone Tidy Towns and Westmeath County Council have been to the forefront in promoting biodiversity through the planting of wildflowers and the reduction of the level of weed spraying and grass cutting in the green areas of the town, as part of the current All-Ireland pollinator plan.
“The action points in the plan are both aspirational and ambitious and are subject to further agreement and change with the consent of enabling stakeholders to deliver in areas outside the competence of Athlone Tidy Towns.
“We look forward to the next three years and thereafter to experience how Athlone can strive to be a town where the wider community can enjoy a higher quality of life and have a greater sense of pride of place.
“We are also optimistic that working closely with our communities will help us to achieve a Gold Medal in the National Tidy Towns competition,” Gerry asserted.
Lauding the recent national accolades received by the Athlone Tidy Towns committee, Town Mayor, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, spoke of the vast potential for the town referencing the medium term plan launch as a catalyst for further growth and enhancement.
“I want to pay tribute in the strongest possible terms to the Tidy Towns committee and volunteers for the work you do in preparing plans, challenging the local authority, encouraging residents’ associations and conducting hands-on projects on the ground around the town. Without a doubt the work you do makes Athlone a better place for all its citizens and visitors to the town.
“Having achieved a Silver Medal in the National Tidy Towns competition in 2019, I know the ambition is to progress and aim for the prized award. I want to wish you every success with your aspirations and I know this plan that has been launched feeds into that belief. I am happy to support you in any way I can, as are my colleagues and the local authority.
“I am passionate about Athlone - I believe there is huge potential and for so many reason it is crucial that we have a town that is well presented and looking its absolute best.
“It is not just our citizens or casual visitors or tourists that we need to be thinking about – even though they are all very important of course they are, but in these times when a multinational company is looking to locate in Ireland, the location of the business is not all that important.
“What is more important to such investors is the quality of life that a location can offer them, their families and colleagues. They want a modern, vibrant, pleasant location with excellent facilities so their families are happy, so they can attract and retain the right staff and ultimately grow their business.
“There is a lot at stake here, more than there might have been in the past, there is a real economic consideration in all of this. A very well-presented town is now the minimum standard on so many levels.
“Athlone Tidy Towns is a superb organisation. While being involved does necessitate contribution to our town’s enhancement, there is also a very enjoyable aspect to being a part of this volunteer committee.
“It is wonderful to see the initiatives in which the our Tidy Towns committee are involved coming to regular fruition and the aspirations detailed in this medium term plan are certain to progress Athlone as they are realised in the coming times,” the Town Mayor concluded.
