Verona F.C. Meeting On Hartstown Park Proposals

Councillor David McGuinness attended a meeting in Verona F.C. on Grove Road to discuss the West End Sports Alliance (W.E.S.A) plan for Hartstown Park. At the meeting, Verona F.C. spokesman Declan McCluskey described WESA as ‘a proposed alliance of a number of Blanchardstown Sports Clubs to create one elite shared facility at Hartstown Park.’

Declan went on to describe some common problems experienced by clubs including Outdated Facilites, Disjointed Pitches, Dispersed Facilities, and no chance of advancement to higher leagues. These points can be remedied, according to Declan, by committing to ‘The Common Aim of improving/enhancing existing facilities for all clubs/areas in to a single shared venue.’

The proposed facility will include a wide range of services including a Gymnasium, FAS conference centre, dressing rooms, medical room, community rooms and a kitchen to name some of the points made in Verona’s presentation. The Dublin 15 community along with local football clubs, local residents, local schools and Fingal County Council are all due to benefit through these facilites according to Declan. Overall, Fingal County Council will own the land and lease it to the clubs.

The main selling point given by Verona F.C. other than the state of the Art facilities that will be provided is the zero cost borne on Fingal County Council to complete these works. Furthermore, a change of zoning will be required for Verona’s current home ground to facilitate ‘Major Town Centre’.

Councillor David McGuinness raised some questions relating to the consultation between all of the clubs in this proposed alliance. To date, it was suggested that concerns were raised by Hartstown F.C., Huntstown Villa, and dialogue with St. Peregrines G.A.A. club were at an early stage. To add to this, Councillor McGuinness emphasised the need to consult not only with all of the proposed clubs in this alliance but also to enter dialogue with the wider Dublin 15 community. The people of Hartstown, Huntstown, Whitestown, Sheepmore, Fortlawn, and Whitechapel all have particular vested interest in Hartstown park and that needs to be considered in these proposals.

This is the first step in engaging the wider community in these proposals. It is imperative that the Dublin 15 community contact David to discuss their views on these plans. David will now contact all relevant parties to outline progress made to date. These proposals are wide ranging and need to be considered by all concerned and David will take all of that consideration on board.

Good luck to all those involved and do not hesitate to contact David at any time for assistance.

David