Plan for complete overhaul of Burgess Park to be prepared

Westmeath County Council has confirmed it will prepare an enhancement plan for the entire Burgess Park area.

The council said that it intends to engage consultants in the first quarter of 2023 to prepare the enhancement plan. It said it hopes upgrading works on Burgess Park would then be undertaken in parallel with the completion of the Main Drainage Scheme in the town.

The Main Drainage Scheme, estimated as an investment of some €113.6 million, is due to begin by the end of the year and be completed by September 2025.

It includes two new sewer tunnels under the Shannon one of which emerges at Burgess Park.

News of the proposed enhancement plan arose following a question by the cathaoirleach Cllr Aengus O'Rourke at the recent Athlone/Moate Municipal District meeting on whether the council planned to upgrade the children's playground at Burgess Park.

The council said there are two major projects taking place in Burgess Park, the Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme and the Athlone Main Drainage Scheme for which works are due to commence before the end of 2022.