Official opening of astro turf and biodiversity garden

This Saturday is set to be a big day for the community of Ballinahown and surrounding areas as the grand opening of a new astro turf facility and biodiversity park takes place.

Ballinahown Community Development together with Ballinahown Sportspark, is inviting the public to come along to the celebration from 1.30pm, kicking off with music from the Army Band 2nd Brigade, Athlone, followed by the official opening of the new facilities by Peter Burke, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

It is set to be a fun filled day for all the family with face painting, a visit by Bozo the clown, biodiversity talks, rounders and relay races, live music and much more.

The investment in the astro turf and the biodiversity park, located behind the playground, totals just over €600,000 and is the largest single investment in the village since Ballinahown Community Development built the walking track in the sports park some years ago.

The biodiversity park features a new pond, an amphitheatre feature for outdoor performance, and an area where native species will be planted to compliment an existing apiary.

The new astro turf and target wall were handed over to St Colmcille Sports Park Committee by the contractor Premier Pitches earlier this year. Local contractor Paddy Brazil carried out the work on the pond feature in the biodiversity park which was completed with Town and Village Renewal funding.

Local Fine Gael Cllr John Dolan commented that it has taken four to five years to get to this stage, and it wouldn't have happened without a lot of work by a lot of people, but particularly, the committee.

“It's a proud day for the village to have facilities like these. We hope to enhance Ballinahown further in the future,” he ended.