Saturday afternoon last was a momentous moment in the modern history of Ballinahown as community members united for the formal opening of the new astro turf facility and biodiversity park.
Courtesy of Ballinahown Community Development together with Ballinahown Sportspark, proceedings commenced with music from the Army Band 2nd Brigade, Athlone, followed by the official opening of the new facilities by Local Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke.
Investment in the astro turf and biodiversity park totals just over €600,000 and is the largest single amenity capital development in Ballinahown in recent times.
An all encompassing biodiversity park features a pond, an amphitheatre feature for outdoor performances and a dedicated are where native species will be planted to compliment an existing apiary.
Speaking at the formal opening, local Fine Gael Cllr, John Dolan, noted that it had taken almost five years for the community project to reach its fruition and paid due credit to all those who helped realise this momentous community occasion.
“I want to warmly welcome you all here to this great community day in Ballinahown and I especially want to welcome Minister Peter Burke and indeed all other elected members here also.
“Additionally, I must welcome all the different agencies, and thank you for all your support both in these projects and in the past. I hope that you are happy with the results of the funding provided and I hope that we can count on your continued support in the future.
“Many thanks to the Army band for your lovely music and thanks to all the people involved in organising the event today.
“Ballinahown is a very special place, and this is made possible by individuals and groups of hardworking and dedicated people who just get the job done with no fuss, but without you none of what is being opened here today would be possible.
“Our astro turf and biodiversity park have turned out way above our expectations and we now we even have our own island in Ballinahown! Great credit must go to all involved in the works. These facilities have made our village even more special and will be used and enjoyed by future generations and no price or value can be put on that.
“Finally, I want to thank everyone for their hard work throughout this past five years and I think that we can say that it was all worth while and for those of you who are visiting make sure you come back to visit in the future,” Cllr Dolan commented.
