Sinn Féin Councillor Joanna Byrne has asked Louth County Council to reverse a decision they took some time ago to close the Lourdes Stadium on Sundays.
Cllr Byrne said it was brought to her attention in April that Louth County Council had decided to shut the popular Lourdes Stadium and its tracks on Sundays leaving sporting groups no option but to move to North Louth for use of a facility both for recreational and competitive use.
“Historically, competitions like the Pre-Louth and the All-Louth’s were rotated between both Drogheda and Dundalk (Bush), an arrangement that worked quite well” Cllr. Byrne said. “Prior to this year’s competitions in April it became apparent that Drogheda could no longer host the event due to the stadium now being closed.”
Seeking clarification, Cllr Byrne raised this closure with Council officials and it was confirmed that Louth County Council would not be staffing this facility on a Sunday going forward.
Cllr Byrne asked that the decision be reversed at this month’s Drogheda Borough Council saying: “it makes no sense to close the Stadium on the very day the sport has always traditionally competed. On behalf of the Athletics Community in Drogheda and its surrounding areas I am urging you to reverse this decision that has ripped the heart out of Athletics in Drogheda in one foul swoop.”
Describing the Lourdes Stadium as the main outdoor Athletic facility in Drogheda, Cllr Byrne called the decision to close it to people, clubs, and sporting organisations on Sundays as “plain bonkers.”
Cllr Byrne continued “It renders the stadium not fit for purpose if it can’t serve those that need to use it and after years of investment into evolving this facility and growing the sport. It makes no sense to me why it would not be staffed on a Sunday.
“It is imperative that a solution is found to re-open this popular amenity on a Sunday and I’d ask the Council to engage with all relevant stakeholders and find a solution. Athletics is a sport that utilises the legs but feeds the heart and mind, as leaders in this County we should be doing all we can to encourage this, not closing the gates on it.”
Louth County Council officials responded to Cllr Byrne saying they had taken her points on board and would review the matter with urgency.
