A new long term lease of property in Bearndearg, Ballina, by Mayo County Council to Parkside Community Development Ltd, trading as Haven Community Childcare Centre, was agreed by the elected members of the Ballina Municipal District this week. The group has been operating the childcare centre for the past 10 years after being given an initial lease by Ballina Town Council, which was due to expire at the end of October this year.
Senior engineer for Mayo County Council, Mr Paul Dolan told the elected members: "It's a very successful community childcare centre, and they are looking to secure a 20 year lease. They have proved their bona fides for the last 10 years in terms of providing a very successful facility and we're recommending that Mayo County Council offer a 20 year lease to the group."
Proposing the lease, Fianna Fáil Cllr Annie May Reape said: "It's an excellent facility with in excess of 80 children attending there." She also went on to call on the council to upgrade the footpaths in the area which are badly needed. She told the meeting "The footpaths have to be kept in mind again, because at this stage it is becoming an emergency and I'd like to see something happen in the very near future, I'll keep reminding you all the time about it. But I'm delighted to propose extending the lease." Fine Gael Cllr John O'Hara seconded the proposal saying: "It's a great facility which employs a good number of people who give expert care to those children. It's a great service for this area." The meeting also saw both Cllr Reape and Independent Cllr Gerry Ginty appointed to the board of the centre as representatives of the council on the board.
