Dromahair Arts & Recreation Centre - Is Féidir Linn

The proposed new Dromahair Arts & Recreation Centre

There was a large turnout for the DARC meeting last night in the Blue Devon. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Gerry Ballantine, with committee members Jim Meehan, Eileen Clinton and Mary Gordon also attending. DARC is the group which is aiming to develop the current Dromahair Park facility into a multi-purpose sports and recreational complex. Set up in April 2010 this dynamic group has to date secured the purchase of land adjacent to the existing Park and obtained planning permission for re-development to include a multi-surfaced sports area, training pitch, playground, outdoor gym and a walkway/running track. It has raised in excess of €50,000 by means of a scrap metal collection, and plans to raise considerably more to complete the project.

After Gerry Ballantine opened the meeting, Tara Neimeyer, Rory Kelly, Bernie McBride, Tom Cullen and Mary Ellen Ward spoke of their reasons for supporting the Park's development. These included the needs locally for a children's playground, for facilities for GAA players to train and play, for a track where athletes could train, for somewhere safe for older members of our community to exercise, for dog-walking facilities and for a place where young people could channel their energies. This would be an amenity for all of us, young and old, GAA or soccer or tennis playing, with children or without. A facility owned by the community for the benefit of all its members.

Gerry Ballantine and Jim Meehan explained that although applications for significant grant funding have been made to various bodies, including the Sports Council and Leitrim Development Company, there will be a shortfall in the region of €250,000, which will have to be raised by the community of Dromahair. Doctor Ballantine stressed that although planning permission has been granted, it is no guarantee of delivery. He said that the project would live or die with the wishes of the people. If the community does not get involved Dr. Ballantine does not believe the facility can be delivered. He fervently believes however that Dromahair needs this facility to cater for the physical and mental health and welfare of our village now and in the future. What we do here, he said, will impact on generations to come.

With strong emphasis on the point that the proposed DARC facility is not a luxury, but a necessity, and with an awareness of the austerity affecting people's lives at present, Gerry Ballantine expressed his conviction that a community can develop with a focal point such as this. If we believe in it, people will find a way of raising funds. Accordingly it is hoped to begin fundraising with door-to-door collections commencing in the next month.

Local councillor John McTiernan spoke of his support for the project and paid tribute to the committee for their hard work in getting things this far. He said he was confident of the group's securing grant aid. This was a view echoed by Senator Michael Comiskey who also pledged his full support.

The bottom line at the meeting however was all about money. Jim Meehan makes no bones about it: this will be an expensive project, but worth it. As Gerry Ballantine asked, would you pay a week's wages to have a facility such as this on your doorstep? Various questions and suggestions came from the assembled audience: How much will each household be expected to contribute? There is no fixed amount, but realistically the average appears to be in the region of €300 - €500. This is not a tax however, and people are free to contribute as much or as little as they see fit, in complete confidence. Can payment be made on a phased basis? Jim explained that the committee would prefer to have the money "up-front" and so avoid bridging finance charges, but would be willing to accept payments in any possible manner. Has corporate sponsorship or individual sponsorship been considered? What about selling naming rights to the Park? Has the group thought of harnessing the goodwill of Dromahair natives abroad? The committee is open to any and all suggestions.

Concerns were raised about charitable status for the group, as tax relief could make corporate donations more attractive. This apparently is already in train. Margaret Sharkey also raised the issue of the timing of Leader funding, which gives somes urgency to the fundraising. A suggestion was made about setting up a website with a Paypal account for making payment directly to the DARC bank account. The formation of a special fundraising committee, separate to the existing finance committee was mooted. 

In conclusion, Gerry Ballantine said it was his belief that the funds required could not be raised through lots of small events, and had to come directly from the community. The committee has worked tirelessly for the past two years and is in danger of suffering fatigue if progress is not made quickly. Therefore it is vital that the community row in behind the DARC group. Tom Cullen said we should be far more positive. We must do it. Ger Kelly cited the recent Demons Festival, where community groups worked, as she put it, supporting each other and supporting ourselves. She exhorted us to remember: Is Féidir Linn.

So can we do it? I believe Dromahair would suffer if this facility were not provided. I believe we have to have it, for our children and for their children. Therefore we have to find the money to pay for it. Times are tough but as the good Doctor says, this is not a luxury. We have to dig deep, for an extremely worthy cause, for our community, close to home. As Tom Cullen said: we must. As Ger Kelly said: we can.

The Diary will be publishing the bank account details for the Dromahair Arts & Recreation Centre in the next day or two, for anyone, home or abroad, who wishes to make a donation.