Community Projects in Portarlington
Gracefield Residents Group
This group approached the PCDA for advice and support and now have two representatives from the Offaly end of town on the PCDA committee ensuring that the town of Portarlington is represented on both sides.
Community Playground
Wednesday the 13th April 2005 saw the official opening of the Children’s Playground “Park Spraoí na hAbhann”. This is an excellent facility for all members of the community. FAS participants are involved in the maintenance of the playground.
Community Enterprise Centre
Located on the town’s Canal Road, Portarlington Enterprise Centre opened its doors in November 2005, with the purpose of providing locally-based entrepreneurs with a modern “incubation” space within a supported framework. We confidently predict that each such business will transform from fledgling start-ups to fully operational and profitable entities within five years. The project is part funded by Portarlington Community Development Association (PCDA), who is responsible for the administration of the ESB legacy fund, Laois Leader, and Laois County Council. The remaining funds were borrowed from Clann Credo, a not-for-profit social investment fund.
Derryounce Walkway
The Walkway provides an excellent amenity to the people of Portarlington. This project was officially opened on 2nd July 2004. It is now part of the Walkways of Laois and is a marvellous local amenity for the community.
Amenity Area
A new amenity area is to be created in the forested area on the top of the Bog road. (Spa Bridge) Overhead lines have now been placed underground. A new committee has been set up and they have been in touch with Laois Co. Co. E.S.B, Laois LEADER and the local Gun Club. The Gun Club are to place a duck pond in this area and have a lot of other ideas to bring to this committee that will further enhance the Amenity Area and the Walkway that leads out to the Lakes.
Youth Club
Frances Kavanagh, a member of the PCDA, is endeavoring to start a Youth Club in Portarlington. She is currently recruiting volunteers to complete the necessary training before the club can commence.
After School Club
This P.C.D.A. project provides a very valuable After School service from the Community Centre located behind the swimming pool. This service, co-ordinated by Frances Deverell, currently operates from 1.30 - 5.30 Monday to Thursday during school term and holidays. This service provides a safe environment for children after school.
Job Club
The Job Club helps the unemployed with skills to help them return to the work force. They also help with preparation of C.V’s and interview techniques. This project continues to be a success and is one of the best Job Clubs in the country.
Crèche
The Childcare Committee has been successful in obtaining a grant of €1.4m for the provision of a Community Crèche in Portarlington. A letter confirming same was received on the 4th March 2004 from the Dept. of Justice, Equality & Law Reform. This Crèche is to be built on a site beside the Community Centre and will accommodate upwards of 124 childcare places at full capacity. It is anticipated that work on this project will commence in October 2005.
The Port Report
Bi annual Community Newsletter – an effort to advertise the work of the PCDA and other community and voluntary groups.
Derryounce Lake
This project was officially opened on 2nd July 2004.Bord na Mona are now in the process of handing over ownership of the Derryounce Lakes to the P.C.D.A. Ltd. The running of this amenity will be carried out with the co-operation and involvement of Portarlington Angling Club who will lease the lakes and will be responsible for stocking the lake with fish and the issuing of permits.
Community Centre
This Centre is now proving to be a success for the community. Membership stands between 350 – 400. The Centre is opened from 9:00a.m. to 11:00p.m. Monday to Friday. Weekends are by request as the Centre is run on a voluntary basis and in conjunction with FAS. Planning permission has recently been given to extend the Centre to provide a Community Gym as requested by the members.
Tidy Towns
This committee now operates under the umbrella of the P.C.D.A. and are working hard to devise ways on how people can be made more aware of their civic duties and come to a decision on how they can make their town a better place to live.
Security for the Elderly
This project is on-going. A total of up to 200 people (aged over 65) have received some form of security for their home over the past 3 years. This funding comes from the Dept., of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and sourced by the P.C.D.A.
Happy Hearts Club
This Active Retirement Group commenced a year ago and currently runs from the Social Services Centre (opposite the Swimming Pool). This group focuses on helping people to come together and enjoy a more active lifestyle. They meet every Friday from 2:30.
P.C.D.A. Services
The P.C.D.A. has been granted funding towards a colour printer and a copying machine to help voluntary committees. Prices are charged at a voluntary rate to assist the workings of the centre as well as provide affordable services to community and voluntary groups to produce fliers, leaflets, headed paper etc. Both laser printer and photocopying services are now available to community groups at discounted rates, as well as the wider business community at commercial rates.
Gracefield Residents Group
This group approached the PCDA for advice and support and now have two representatives from the Offaly end of town on the PCDA committee ensuring that the town of Portarlington is represented on both sides.
Community Playground
Wednesday the 13th April 2005 saw the official opening of the Children’s Playground “Park Spraoí na hAbhann”. This is an excellent facility for all members of the community. FAS participants are involved in the maintenance of the playground.
Community Enterprise Centre
Located on the town’s Canal Road, Portarlington Enterprise Centre opened its doors in November 2005, with the purpose of providing locally-based entrepreneurs with a modern “incubation” space within a supported framework. We confidently predict that each such business will transform from fledgling start-ups to fully operational and profitable entities within five years. The project is part funded by Portarlington Community Development Association (PCDA), who is responsible for the administration of the ESB legacy fund, Laois Leader, and Laois County Council. The remaining funds were borrowed from Clann Credo, a not-for-profit social investment fund.
Derryounce Walkway
The Walkway provides an excellent amenity to the people of Portarlington. This project was officially opened on 2nd July 2004. It is now part of the Walkways of Laois and is a marvellous local amenity for the community.
Amenity Area
A new amenity area is to be created in the forested area on the top of the Bog road. (Spa Bridge) Overhead lines have now been placed underground. A new committee has been set up and they have been in touch with Laois Co. Co. E.S.B, Laois LEADER and the local Gun Club. The Gun Club are to place a duck pond in this area and have a lot of other ideas to bring to this committee that will further enhance the Amenity Area and the Walkway that leads out to the Lakes.
Youth Club
Frances Kavanagh, a member of the PCDA, is endeavoring to start a Youth Club in Portarlington. She is currently recruiting volunteers to complete the necessary training before the club can commence.
After School Club
This P.C.D.A. project provides a very valuable After School service from the Community Centre located behind the swimming pool. This service, co-ordinated by Frances Deverell, currently operates from 1.30 - 5.30 Monday to Thursday during school term and holidays. This service provides a safe environment for children after school.
Job Club
The Job Club helps the unemployed with skills to help them return to the work force. They also help with preparation of C.V’s and interview techniques. This project continues to be a success and is one of the best Job Clubs in the country.
Crèche
The Childcare Committee has been successful in obtaining a grant of €1.4m for the provision of a Community Crèche in Portarlington. A letter confirming same was received on the 4th March 2004 from the Dept. of Justice, Equality & Law Reform. This Crèche is to be built on a site beside the Community Centre and will accommodate upwards of 124 childcare places at full capacity. It is anticipated that work on this project will commence in October 2005.
The Port Report
Bi annual Community Newsletter – an effort to advertise the work of the PCDA and other community and voluntary groups.
Derryounce Lake
This project was officially opened on 2nd July 2004.Bord na Mona are now in the process of handing over ownership of the Derryounce Lakes to the P.C.D.A. Ltd. The running of this amenity will be carried out with the co-operation and involvement of Portarlington Angling Club who will lease the lakes and will be responsible for stocking the lake with fish and the issuing of permits.
Community Centre
This Centre is now proving to be a success for the community. Membership stands between 350 – 400. The Centre is opened from 9:00a.m. to 11:00p.m. Monday to Friday. Weekends are by request as the Centre is run on a voluntary basis and in conjunction with FAS. Planning permission has recently been given to extend the Centre to provide a Community Gym as requested by the members.
Tidy Towns
This committee now operates under the umbrella of the P.C.D.A. and are working hard to devise ways on how people can be made more aware of their civic duties and come to a decision on how they can make their town a better place to live.
Security for the Elderly
This project is on-going. A total of up to 200 people (aged over 65) have received some form of security for their home over the past 3 years. This funding comes from the Dept., of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and sourced by the P.C.D.A.
Happy Hearts Club
This Active Retirement Group commenced a year ago and currently runs from the Social Services Centre (opposite the Swimming Pool). This group focuses on helping people to come together and enjoy a more active lifestyle. They meet every Friday from 2:30.
P.C.D.A. Services
The P.C.D.A. has been granted funding towards a colour printer and a copying machine to help voluntary committees. Prices are charged at a voluntary rate to assist the workings of the centre as well as provide affordable services to community and voluntary groups to produce fliers, leaflets, headed paper etc. Both laser printer and photocopying services are now available to community groups at discounted rates, as well as the wider business community at commercial rates.
