The job of renovating the park and playground at Clancy Street/Redmond Street in Fermoy has gone out for tender. The deadline for receipt of tenders is March 27th. The project is being done by the Cork Road Residents’ Association with support from Avondhu Blackwater Partnership.

The work will see new play equipment being installed, substantial landscaping works, new green areas as well as play areas and the provision of seating. The current entrance is to be blocked up and a new one made. The existing playground is ten years old.

PRO of the Cork Street Residents’ Association, Tadhg O’Donovan, said it was a long awaited project. There were planning issues to be gone through before they could advance the project. He said the association was pleased it had got to this milestone.

PHASE ONE IMMINENT

“There’s great excitement, it’s  a major enhancement plan that’s being carried out by the association” he pointed out, explaining that, “in December 2003 we set up the initial project because there was a need for such facilities.” He congratulated Avondhu Blackwater Partnership (ABP), their partners, who’d been “very helpful to us from day one.” In particular, he extended thanks to CEO Valerie Murphy and landscape architect Cathal O’Meara.

“We’re reasonably optimistic that the first phase is only months away now,” Cllr. O’Donovan said. “It shows that local groups like ourselves can enhance amenity areas in their respective areas by working collectively with ABP to bring such projects to fruition,” he added.

He said the good news of the advancement of the project was tempered by the fact that their co-founder and chairperson, William Hughes is at present convalescing in Fermoy Community Hospital. He extended good wishes to him.