Summary

This page, set up by the Ballymote Community Council Playground working group, is to facilitate the wider community in supporting us reach our fundraising target of 40,000euro for the Ballymote playground restoration.

Background

The existing Playground was opened by Ballymote Community Enterprise in October 2004.

The top priority identified in the community surveys completed as part of the Innovating Communities ‘Breathing Life into Ballymote’ Programme, facilitated by Sligo LEADER in H1 2022, was the Playground. The Playground has been closed since October 2018, re-opening for a brief period in 2022.

In February 2023, Ballymote Community Council organised a public meeting in the Coach House Hotel to discuss the Playground. It established a working group – the Ballymote Playground Group, made up of parents with young children, to conduct fundraising activities from which funds would be used to support grant applications. An agreement was reached with Ballymote Community Enterprise to rescind their licensing agreement on the Playground site, and a 20-year lease agreement was signed between Ballymote Community Council and St.Nathy’s Diocese Trust in September 2023.

Offline Fundraising

Fundraising activities between March and December 2023 were as follows:

· Artisan Food & Craft Markets in March, May, September, and December

· Non-Uniform Days in Scoil Mhuire gan Smál NS (May), Knockminna NS (June), Coláiste Mhuire (October) & Corran College (October)

· Table Quiz (April)

· Church gate collection in Ballymote and Doo (July)

· Chillin Time social events – Open Mic (June), Lego Competition (July) and Face Painting (August)

· Shopping bag packing in SuperValu (July), bucket collections at Henry’s Gala and Ballymote Mart (September)

· Back to School Disco for primary school children in the Ballymote FRC (August)

· Christmas Tractor Run event (December)

Funds raised from the above activities, coupled with generous contributions from local business and members of the community, resulted in c.€41,000 being raised which exceeded the fundraising target.

Grants Overview

Since March 2023, the Ballymote Community Council has been actively engaged with Sligo County Council, Sligo LEADER, and local Councillors, applying for grants in which the Playground fits the scheme criteria. Requirements for Community Groups to provide matched funding against grants will vary depending on the grant scheme outline developed at a department level.

March 2023: Applied for€100,000 under the 2023 Community Recognition Fund (100% funded) for the purchase of Play equipment. Received €32,000.

August 2023: Expression of Interest shared with Sligo County Council with respect to the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2023 – Playground project not considered eligible.

January 2024: Applied and received €49,500 under CLÁR 2023 Programme (small-scale rural projects) for two pieces of Play equipment. Matched funding of €5,500 provided by Ballymote Community Council from fundraised monies.

May 2024: Decision taken to apply for €195,000 under the Community Recognition Fund 2024 following discussion with Sligo County Council management. Caveat that the €32,000 from last year’s Fund would have to be returned given that funding could not be provided for the same project in consecutive years. Application unsuccessful.

May 2024 / September 2024: Expression of Interest submitted to Sligo LEADER in May under the LEADER Programme 2023-2027. Application requesting €125,000 grant (€93,750 LEADER, €31,250 matched funding by Community Council) for Play Equipment was submitted on 6^th September in advance of latest round closing date. Outcome will be known by end-October.

Playground Project

Given the piecemeal nature of the grants received, a phased approach has had to be taken for Playground re-development.

Phase 1: Installation of a Sensory Garden in the back section of the Playground site

o Utilisation of the Community Recognition Fund 2023 monies of €32,000.

o Status: Supplier selected. Equipment and materials have been ordered by supplier following deposit payment. Indicative timelines are end October/early November subject to no delays being encountered.

Phase 2: Surfacing works on remaining Playground site

o Utilisation of the CLÁR 2023 Programme grant received of €49,500 plus €5,500 matched funding. Total funding of €55,000.

o Repurposing of the CLÁR grant has been allowed by the Dept on the basis that the Sligo LEADER application under Phase 3 is successful.

Phase 3: Play Equipment on remaining Playground site

o Prospective utilisation of the Sligo LEADER grant of €125,000 (subject to approval). Tendering process is complete, with the Community Council ready to submit order pending decision at end of October.

Concluding Remarks

Our thanks again for your generosity, support, and patience with the Playground project. The community has backed this project from the outset, with c. €41,000 raised in a nine-month period in 2023. As you will see, Ballymote Community Council have made every attempt to complement the fundraising / contributions with grants coming on stream.

While we share the frustration over the length of time it is taking to re-open the Playground, we are doing our utmost as a group of volunteers. If the Sligo LEADER application is successful, the new Playground should be opened in Spring 2025.

Build Ballymote a Modern Playground

Kevin Morgan

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