When a campaign was launched two years ago to find new uses for the abandoned Handball Alley at Millmount, they asked Drogheda Architects McKevitt King for some ideas.
The designs they came up with were hugely popular with the public and now, one of the campaign instigators, Labour Councillor Pio Smith, has revealed that the Council has come on board and allocated €150,000 to the project.
“Tourism is one of the key factors in Drogheda’s future growth and the Millmount complex is a central part of our tourist offering” Councillor Smith said.
“The handball alley was once a place where generations of children passed their time learning a great game, making lifelong friends and keeping alive a great Irish sport in our town. Sadly over the years the alley deteriorated to the extent that it was unusable.
“However with support from the community and Louth County Council Chief Executive Joan Martin I am glad to say that the first steps in regenerating the handball alley is underway.
“I had reached agreement with the chief executive to have the handball alley project put into the council’s capital works programme at our budget meeting in December.
“I am happy to reveal that €150,000 will be allocated to the first stage of the plan to create a shared space as envisaged in the images produced by McKevitt Architects.
“In the near future we can look forward to handball being played once again in Millmount as well as an area where outdoor concerts can be held. A bit of good news after the week that’s gone.”
Another of the campaign members, Anthony ‘Hess’ Matthews said:
‘Isn’t it just wonderful to have some positive news about the town for a change’.
“Two years ago, with the assistance of John Kelly and Pio Smith, more than 200 people gathered at Millmount with a common goal, to see the playground of their childhood ‘The Alley’, reopened.
With the assistance of the Old Drogheda Society, a meeting ensued and a committee was formed. Forward to 2024 and it appears the dream will become a reality. Many thanks to the Louth County Councial and in particular, Joe McGuiness for their support.
‘Massive Mountains can be moved within the heart of hope’.
See our previous article:
Fantastic new designs to breathe new life into Millmount Handball Alley
