‘We want people to see the ‘wow factor’ in Strokestown’
Pictured at the official launch of Strokestown 2040 — A Town Centre First Plan, at Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown, were, from back, left: Jonathan Cassidy, Strokestown Town Team; Mark Keaveney, DOS, Roscommon Co Council; Tara Taheny, DRCD; Donal Ó Murchadha, TCF; Shane Tiernan, CEO Roscommon County Council; Shane Lynskey, Chairperson, Strokestown Town Team. Front: Cllr Joe Murphy, Senator Aisling Dolan, Úna Ní Chuinn, Town Regeneration Officer, Roscommon County Council and Cllr Tom Crosby. Pic. Gerard O’Loughlin
The new ‘Strokestown 2040 – A Town Centre First Plan’ was launched recently at Scoil Mhuire Secondary School to great excitement.
The launch was led by the Strokestown Town Team, supported by Roscommon County Council, and speakers at the launch included Sarah Flynn, Brothers of Charity Strokestown and Christabelle Feeney, Responsible Business Lead at William Fry, a former student of Scoil Mhuire.
It was also attended by Cllrs Joe Murphy, Tom Crosby, and Liam Callaghan, as well as Senator Aisling Dolan and local election candidate Gareth Scahill. Martina Earley of Roscommon Leader Partnership was also present.
The Strokestown Town Centre First Plan has identified “transformational proposals” and a five-year roadmap to achieve them. The proposals include creating a social, community and wellbeing hub, a coordinated plan for walking and cycle schemes in Strokestown and tackling vacant buildings and dereliction.
Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council Shane Tiernan told the meeting that he was very kindly invited to attend the town’s Easter parade.
“I saw the amount of local community groups, the amount of vibrant businesses, and the amount of voluntary organisations in Strokestown,” he said.
He said that plan was “real, vibrant, and positive” and that Strokestown was a “pivotal town” for the council, describing Strokestown Park House as a national attraction.
“We want people to see the ‘wow factor’ in Strokestown,” Mr Tiernan said.
“This is the first town centre plan in Roscommon, the first of hopefully several. But we won’t have it here today without the effort of all the community groups, the Strokestown Town Team in particular.” He commended the great work of the Strokestown Town Team, as well as the staff at the council. He highlighted that funding for a range of projects for the town could amount to €8.5 million.
“Does that not say something about the people of Strokestown and what they want for their town?” he said.
He said that the plan would encourage inclusivity and development in town.
“This is about place making, making places where people want to be – everybody,” Mr Tiernan said.
He explained that from his own childhood he had a “passion” for towns and villages. He explained that while towns and villages were changing, “but what we can do is create a new kind of town and village, with new attractions”.
“People have changed their lifestyles, they are shopping differently, they are living differently,” he said. “We need to embrace that change.” (see full story in tomorrow's paper)
