A group of Mayo teenagers have been saluted for their part in bringing a €380,000 physical and mental health activity zone to Mayo.
The first sod on the project, the Erris No Name Club Development Initiative in Teenage Health, was turned on Friday last at the site next to the Belmullet Civic Centre. The project was initiated by the teenagers of Erris No Name Club in partnership with Mayo County Council after they identified the need within their community for a health and fitness facility that would bring physical and mental health benefits to the wider community.
Facilities include an artificial grass facility that will be an interchangeable football pitch and basketball court, a tennis court, boccia court and a teenage activity area to include table football, table tennis, a skate trainer, dutch disc and NEOS activity play structure.
The project is being financed through: the Corrib Local Grants Programme (€170,000 ), the Leader initiative (€150,000 ), Bellacorick Enterprise Fund (€33,000 ) and funding the No Name Club won through The Sun/SuperValu Spirit of the Community initiative (€2,000 ). Work is to commence shortly on site with an anticipated completion date prior to Easter 2011.
Edith Geraghty, chairperson of Erris No Name Club, says: “This shows what young people can achieve. This much-needed facility should bring physical and mental health benefits to generations of young people and adults within the community for years to come. This will be a resource for the whole family and community, and the confidence the project has engendered among the teenagers is invaluable.”
