Master plan for Mayo lake amenity set to be progressed

A master plan for the future development of Lough Lanngh, Castlebar, as a leisure amenity are to be progressed.

David Mellett, manager, Castlebar Municipal District, informed elected members that a number of drawings for the Lough Lannagh site were drafted in 2021, but not finished to a point that it would be suitable for circulation.

He elaborated: "The drawings identified a number of areas for potential projects, including a skate park, additional parking and new pathways.

"A number of these initiatives have been progressed or are in train, including the Outdoor Castlebar Hub programme, the proposed Skate Park under the Community Recognition Fund, the new car park and the proposed climbing.

"The recently published report by the Castlebar Chamber of Commerce, “A Study of the Economic Social & Environmental Value of Sport in Castlebar”, also highlights Lough Lannagh as a model of successful sports planning along with a number of key recommendations that could inform future developments and opportunities for the site.

"This report, along with other recent developments, presents a good time for us to look again at our vision for the site, and the part the site can play in helping Castlebar progress as a location for sports development and events, broaden the sport offerings and increase participation in sports and physical activities for all ages and all members of the community.

"This needs to be done in a way that recognises the existing sporting stakeholders in the area, builds on our current base of infrastructure, makes best use of our assets and opportunities and acknowledges the move towards multi-use and shared facilities.

"We also need to be mindfully of the valuable biodiversity, recreational and natural asset of Lough Lannagh that supports the health and wellbeing of our citizens and the environment, and provides a community amenity beyond sport.

"We are exploring potential avenues on how we could progress the development of this vision and master plan for the site.

"As part of this, we have had some discussion with Mayo Sport Partnership and they have offered to provide a short presentation at our October meeting to outline the 2023 Castlebar Outdoor Sports Hub Plan.

"The presentation will be made Charlie Lambert and Graham Clarke, the new Castlebar Outdoor Hub co-ordinator."