Leas-cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Dan McCarthy, performed the official opening of Delvin Playground on Monday. This is now the 12th playground facility provided under the council’s Playground Provision Scheme.
Speaking at the opening, Cllr McCarthy acknowledged the management team of Westmeath County Council for their foresight in bringing forward the Playground Provision Scheme and the elected representatives for adopting the scheme. He also thanked Maurice Stenson, co-ordinator of the playground provision scheme in the county, and Grahame Niven, the former Coole area engineer.
He wished the children of Delvin, their parents, and indeed grandparents, many happy years in the pleasant surroundings of the new playground facility, and urged young and old to look after the playground so it can remain the perfect environment for children to play in.
The Playground Provision Scheme was adopted by the council in January 2007 and set targets for the provision of playground facilities in Westmeath over the four year period of the plan, subject to meeting the criteria set down in the scheme and primarily subject to funding availability.
Westmeath County Council recognises that it is crucially important to make every effort to ensure the provision of play facilities that meet the needs of children in Westmeath.
The council has sought to ensure an even distribution of playground facilities throughout the county, through direct council provision and also by looking at how communities themselves can progress the provision of appropriate playground facilities in their own areas with the assistance of the council.
