elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

Chapter 7: Social and Community Facilities
7. SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
7.1 INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT
Roscommon County Council 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 Council aims,
where possible, to respond to the community of Elphin and their needs.
Community infrastructure also includes traditional local services such as small shops, post offices, and
licensed premises as these also help to preserve and enhance a sense of community at local 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
Roscommon County Council seeks to ensure that adequate provisions are made for community facilities.
The Council 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 Roscommon County Council 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 area, along with a number of other sites.
Roscommon County Council will continue to work to ensure provision of recreational/play areas 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 2009-2015 Page 65