Talks urged to resolve parking issues at Mayo leisure complex

MAYO County Council has been urged to hold discussions with Castlebar Tennis Club in a bid to resolve parking issues at the nearby leisure centre.

The club introduced a 'pay for parking' system on its property because of health and safety concerns.

The decision was taken following the termination of a long-standing agreement with the council for the use of the facility by members of the public using the leisure centre at Lough Lannagh.

Parking has become a major issue at the leisure centre, says Councillor Blackie Gavin, and it needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

The facility is 'packed', being a runaway success, he highlighted at the monthly municipal district meeting.

Councillor Ger Deere said the tennis club have insurance concerns.

They are very reasonable people and he encouraged the council to engage with them again.

They needed to come to an agreement with the tennis club until they get proper planning for further parking at the complex.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne wondered if, when the land was transferred to the tennis club, there was an agreement about parking, noting that the swimming pool wasn't in place at the time.

Since the transfer, an agreement was entered into for 20 spaces in the car park but that came to an end last year, municipal head David Mellett explained.

There had been discussions to see if they could extend it and there were issues on both sides on how that would work.

But they are looking at an alternative at the minute and trying to identify funding.

It needs to be looked at as part of the overall masterplan for Lough Lannagh, and also in the interim, said cathaoirleach Councillor Donna Sheridan.