A five year project to build a children’s playground in Barna will come to fruition tomorrow when the facility is officially opened.
Locals will celebrate the €132,000 playground opening with a fun-filled afternoon of face paining, balloons, a disco, and treats and refreshments for all the family, starting at 3pm.
Land for the playground was provided by Barna Co-op, and is beside the company’s tennis courts on Paintbox Road, and Shauna Cunningham, secretary of Barna-Furbo Playground committee, says its support was crucial to ensure the dream became a reality.
“Five years ago we were a group of parents with no land, no funding, no planning, and just this vision of creating play facilities in Barna village centre,” she says. “ Since then we have turned this idea to reality with team work, fundraising and, crucially, the support of Barna Co-Op and the LEADER programme.
“The playground is testimony to community spirit, to people coming together and being committed to doing something positive in their community.”
Cathaoirleach of the Galway County Council, Mary Hoade, and local children will cut the ribbon of the facility which is based on a nautical-theme, including a large pirate ship structure with look-out windows, slides and climbing frames, in addition to the usual playground facilities and equipment suitable for special needs children.
“Friday will be a tremendously proud occasion for the community and we look forward to celebrating this fantastic new maritime-themed playground which has quickly become the most used amenity in Barna and a resounding success with children and families, says Tracee O’Loughlin, the committee chairperson.
Seventy-five per cent of the funding was provided by Comhar na nOileán Teo, a LEADER Partnership Company, with the remaining €33,000 raised by the committee through events and initiatives, including a highly successful charity shop The Nearly New Shop.
