A new community recreation area, incorporating a multi-sport area, all age exercise equipment as well as seating and raised planting beds, was officially opened in the Pinewood Estate in Killarney on Friday.

Officially opened in Pinewood Estate Park Road on Friday an exercise area complete with six machines close to the newly opened tennis and basketball court. Photo Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

The facility was funded by a LEADER grant of just over €78,000 through South Kerry Development Partnership CLG (SKDP) and approved by the LAG as well as match funding put up by the Pinewood Residents Association and a contribution through a lease on the site provided by Kerry County Council. The idea for the project came about through an earlier LEADER funded Feasibility Study undertaken for the residents by Paul O’Raw & Associates aimed at identifying the recreational needs within the estate.

Chairperson of SKDP Tony Donnelly, who performed the official opening said that this project is an excellent example of how communities, working with SKDP through the LEADER programme, can plan and develop new facilities in their areas that will be of benefit to all. He said that the project is a credit to the hard work and dedication of Eileen Mayes, Neil Coffey and all the other committee members of the Pinewood Residents Association that they have succeeded in delivering this project for the area and he is sure it will be used by all the residents for many years to come.

Chairperson of the Pinewood Residents Association Neil Coffey said that they are delighted with the new facility and that it has been used extensively by the residents in the last number of weeks since it is operational. “The age profile of the Pinewood estate and their needs have changed over the years and the Residents’ Association were anxious to make use of the old basketball court to deliver a recreational facility that would support the needs of the people in the estate now and into the future” he said. Neil added that he wished to thank all involved in the committee for their work on the project but also to thank Seán de Buitléar and the LEADER team in SKDP, Kerry County Council and Donal O’Neill as well as the LAG for their support and Cllr. Marie Moloney for her work in getting the project completed.