Johnstown campaigns for facilities

Campaigners for community facilities in Johnstown have said they will picket showhouses for new developments in Johnstown to let potential buyers know about the lack of facilities, unless Meath County Council comes back to them with a plan for the area.

Johnstown resident Alan Lawes, who is a member of Direct Democracy Ireland, recently launched a petition calling on Meath County Council to buy the former Energie gym in Johnstown and redevelop it as a community centre. This petition was handed to Sinn Fein councillor Sinead Burke who had tabled a motion to this effect at yesterday's Navan Municipal District meeting.

 

 

Alan Lawes speaking about the need for community facilities in Johnstown and the plan to picket new developments if the council does not prioritise the provision of facilities for the area.

 

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Lawes said it was 'glaringly obvious' from the council's response that it has no plan for facilities for Johnstown.

'They did say they would come back to us but we have been waiting on promises from people to come back to us for too long. I will wait a week and them I am asking people to support me.

'The community in Johnstown is crying out for facilities. The truth is we don't have any.

'If we don't hear from them by the end of next week we will place a picket at showhouses in the Johnstown area to let people know that before they buy a house, to be aware there are no facilities for young people'

He said no more houses should be added to the area until faciltiies are provided. Even if the gym is not bought by the council, Mr Lawes said the people of Johnstown are 'not going to lie down until the council deliver the facilities the people of Johnstown deserve' . He said the campaign would continue to focus the minds of the people in power, the 'people with the purse strings'.

Mr Lawes said he hoped they didn't have to mount a picket but if they have to they will.

'We were promised that tennis courts, a playground and a community centre would be provided but none of them were delivered,' he said.

The former energie gym, which had a guide price of €365,000 to €385,000 is being auctioned online today by Allsops.