Chapter 7: Social and Community Facilities Elphin Local Area Plan <strong>2009</strong>-<strong>2015</strong> Page 64
Chapter 7: Social and Community Facilities 7. SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES 7.1 INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT <strong>Roscommon</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Council</strong> recognises that building strong and inclusive communities is a key element in achieving sustainable development. Access to cultural, social and community facilities is central to promoting a sense of community and social inclusion. In addition to economic development, sustainable communities require the provision of and access to education, health, childcare services, recreation and leisure amenities, community support services, and a good quality built environment. The <strong>Council</strong> aims, where possible, to respond to the community of Elphin and their needs. Community infrastructure also includes traditional <strong>local</strong> services such as small shops, post offices, and licensed premises as these also help to preserve and enhance a sense of community at <strong>local</strong> level. In addition to this, the enhancement of a sense of place and belonging within communities is hugely dependent on opportunities to meet, interact, and form strong social networks. It is important to retain these services, where viable. For some members of the community there are more barriers in accessing the same opportunities, facilities and services, whether through age, gender, disability, unemployment, location, origin or language barriers. Social inclusion refers to the manner in which all members of the community are integrated in an equal manner, and it seeks to reduce barriers such as those mentioned above. Specific polices and actions will be required for these people, in order to enable them to obtain the same quality of life as the remainder of the community, which is crucial to a strong and inclusive community. Please see Map 5 – Community Facilities and Services in Elphin, at the end of this LAP. 7.2 COMMUNITY FACILITIES <strong>Roscommon</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Council</strong> seeks to ensure that adequate provisions are made for community facilities. The <strong>Council</strong> encourages the provision of adequate open space for recreational and amenity purposes in residential developments. There are numerous community groups within Elphin that are actively promoting the town including a strong tidy towns group. There are several community buildings in Elphin of which the Community Centre is the largest, and received extensive refurbishment in 2007 and 2008. Other community buildings in the town include the Garda Station, which is located on Main Street, and a restored 18 th Century Windmill located to the northwest of the town. Orchard Park G.A.A pitch is located on Bishop Street and provides an all-weather pitch along with new club-house and sports gym facilities. Saint Patrick’s (St. Asicus) Church, located on Chapel Street is now the only place of worship within the town. The Cathedral of St Mary, a former Church of Ireland is in ruins. The Brothers of Charity have constructed a dwelling house with communal facilities on Chapel Street. Other existing facilities include the Elphin Day Care Centre and Fearna Nursing Home. Currently there is no playground in Elphin, however <strong>Roscommon</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Council</strong> has been working closely with the community during 2008 and has identified a number of potential sites. Orchard Park complex is considered a possible suitable location for a play <strong>area</strong>, along with a number of other sites. <strong>Roscommon</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Council</strong> will continue to work to ensure provision of recreational/play <strong>area</strong>s in appropriate locations in the town. 7.3 CHILDCARE PROVISION Increasing numbers of people in the workforce and changing lifestyles have increased the demand for childcare facilities in our communities. The provision of childcare facilities is subject to the Child Care Act and the Child Care (Pre School Services) Regulations of 1996. There are approximately 1,317 childcare Elphin Local Area Plan <strong>2009</strong>-<strong>2015</strong> Page 65