Published: Thursday, 19th November, 2009 11:00am

Communication is essential for 2010 events in Athlone

Businesses will have to endure "some hardship" when roads will be closed during next year's European Triathlon Championships in Athlone. Communication between the council, Gardaí and the public...

will be the key to the success of a number of significant events planned to take place in Athlone next year, including the largest ever TriAthlone next July.

"The road closure plans will start early in 2010, but will traders in the town be involved? When businesses are closed down it does a lot of damage. Traders need to be included to no-one is shocked at the start of the week," said Cllr Gabrielle McFadden, speaking at a meeting of the local joint policing committee (JPC).

"There will be some hardship," admitted Town Clerk John Walsh. "Road closures do affect businesses and cause problems. It's probably the biggest sporting event ever in Athlone. It will take place from Thursday to Sunday with around 5,000 athletes taking part and they'll be bringing supporters and family."

Cllr Mark Cooney, who is chairman of the JPC, said that the TriAthlone next year would be a major event that will have a big impact on the town. "There could be a negative attitude because of road closures and because it's the European Championships, it will be on a much larger scale and longer period," he added.

Superintendent Aidan Glacken said that there were issues about the road closures during the event earlier this year. He said that from early in 2010, a communications team will be put in place to liaise with traders in the town, especially those on the Westside.

As well as TriAthlone in July, later on that same month is the European Festival from July 24 to 31 which will welcome around 900 visitors to the town from 15 European countries, while the Community Games and a cross-border Soroptimist conference are also pencilled in on the calendar. Athlone Community Taskforce member Linda Jo Quinn said that the recent Hallow'een festival was so successful that there are plans to hold it next year again and it's important that it's listed as an annual event, along with the St Patrick's Day parade.

The events were discussed at Monday night's meeting of the Joint Policing Committee, made up of Athlone Town Council members, community representatives, Oireachtas members and local gardaí.