Funding of over €300k awarded to four Athlone-area community projects

Grants amounting to more than €300,000 have been announced today (Thursday) for four Athlone-area community projects.

The funding will see €86,614 going toward upgrade works at Athlone's library, while an allocation of €90,000 is set to be used for enhancements to the town's riverside 'Ranelagh Way' walking amenity, also known as the 'Golden Mile'.

On the Roscommon side of Athlone, €80,000 has been allocated to the county council for "recreational and playground enhancements" in Monksland.

In addition, South Roscommon Family Resource Centre is to receive €60,929 for "refurbishment of Family Resource Centre South Roscommon at two locations".

The local funding was part of a total of over €17 million announced for the delivery of 212 community projects nationwide through the Government's Community Recognition Fund.

It was announced by Minister Dara Calleary in Roscommon, which he is visiting today to unveil a range of rural development projects, including the official opening of Monksland Central Park this evening.

The funding allocations were welcomed by local Ministers of State Robert Troy and Kevin 'Boxer' Moran.

"This is excellent news for Athlone," said 'Boxer'. "I am particularly delighted about two projects, the upgrading of Athlone Library and the Ranelagh Way, formerly known as the Golden Mile.

"It is vital that we continue to invest in our communities and to enhance our facilities for the betterment of our towns."