Fundraiser launched for recreation centre in Kilconly and Kilbannon

A COMMUNITY fundraiser for a recreation centre at ‘Fitz’s Field’ has been launched in Kilconly and Kilbannon.

Work on the centre has begun and the Buy-a-Brick campaign has been set up to help get the facility finished.

Fitz’s Field is a community facility outside Kilconly village that is used by people from Kilconly and Kilbannon, and by Kilconly GAA and LGFA teams and Kilshanvey Utd soccer club.

The Kilconly Community Recreation Group (KCRG) is a voluntary group behind the running of Fitz’s Field, with collaboration from the main users of the facility – Kilshanvey Utd, and the Kilconly GAA and LGFA club.

There are already several amenities on site including four pitches – full-size soccer and underage soccer pitches, as well as a GAA pitch and astro turf pitch – tennis and basketball courts, a walkway, lighting, an outdoor gym, and a SmallWall area.

The Buy-a-Brick fundraiser will provide people from the locality with the opportunity to have their names literally etched into the fabric of the recreation centre.

“We’ll ensure that everyone’s name is on a wall, on the building or inside the building itself. It’s to have a lasting legacy for people,” said Orla Burke Fitzpatrick, PRO of the KCRG.Fitz’s Field was used by Kilconly GAA club after it was established in 1943 by Michael Fitzpatrick (whose family owned the lands), Seán Fallon, Johnny Connern and others.

The GAA club relocated to their current ground in Kilbannon and eventually Kilshanvey Utd moved into Fitz’s Field in 1989.

A number of grants have been secured in recent years to enhance the amenities at Fitz’s Field and the recreation centre will be the latest addition.

“The next stage in the development of Fitz’s Field is a recreation centre. We were using containers and a toilet that were not fit for use,” offered Orla Burke Fitzpatrick.

“The recreation centre has become so fast moving now. It started in January. The exterior is plastered, and the roof and windows have gone in also.

“The project will have three phases. The first includes two dressing rooms and toilets. The next two phases could blend into one, it depends on funds.

“We will be building a meeting room that will hopefully be used by community groups. Hopefully we will be able to run different initiatives there with people of all ages. We are open to suggestions from people in the community in Kilconly and Kilbannon.

“The GAA and soccer clubs are the main users of Fitz’s Field. Hopefully going forward we might get clubs out of the basketball and tennis courts we have.

“The previous KCRG committee up to 15 months ago did great work and we want to thank them for their efforts over the last number of years.”

The KCRG committee is made up of James Greaney (chair), Sean Dunleavy (vice-chair), Sharyn Byrne (secretary), Damien Broxton (assistant secretary), Andy Colledge (treasurer), Marie Kerrigan (vice treasurer) and Orla Burke Fitzpatrick.

More information on the fundraiser can be found on the iDonate website, on the social media pages of Kilconly Community Recreation Group, and by emailing kilconlyrecreation@gmail.com.

A brochure for the fundraising campaign is available at selected locations in the locality including Blake’s Bar, Kilconly Post Office, Helen Connolly Hair Salon, The Village Shop, Tierney’s of Foxhall and Elite Service Station on the Ballygaddy Road.