PUT A ROOF ON IT!

CALLS have been made to erect a roof over the tennis courts in the Palace Grounds in Tuam.

The sports facilities are already set for an upgrade in the park with funding secured by Galway County Council via the government’s Participation Nation Outdoor Fund.

The money will be used for the installation of a 3v3 Basketball Court and a Table Tennis and Tec Ball Table.

Speaking at the February meeting of the Tuam Municipal District, Councillor Donagh Killilea pitched the idea of erecting a roof over the current tennis courts in the park to further enhance the use of the facility.

“These courts get a huge amount of use for various sports throughout the year. A roof would enhance how often they can be used during periods of poor weather,” he explained.

However, there was some opposition to the idea. Independent Cllr Karey McHugh Farag mooted a slight alternative which would still allow for all weather use of the tennis courts.

“I think it would need to be a retractable roof, as a permanent structure like that would only lead to groups congregating at that location at night and could result in anti-social behaviour,” warned the Tuam native.

Addressing their suggestions, Area Engineer John Coyle noted that they would need to be careful with any new structure such as this, given it could be blown away should the county experience anything like Storm Éowyn in the future.