February Edition 2018
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Rapid Growth
Rapid Growth
Many have watched our neighbourhood expand to become the size of a town like Trim within a decade. Our local community facilities have not evolved in line with this population growth and we're still growing. We're well aware that there's not one playground among +10,000 residents and no community access building.
A Heart
A Heart
We've become accustom to travelling which has enabled Navan, with a population of +34,000, to host a wide range of large sustainable community clubs. This has however diluted our local Sense of Community and if you don't have the convenience of a car then you're being left out. Fundamentally we know that we are missing a simple indoor space to act as a focal point for our community that's within walking distance.
Around this time last year all eyes were focussed on the former Energie Gym between Bailis Village and Taylors of Johnstown. The Community Petition had over 1500 signatures calling for it to be bought by the Council for use by the community. We made no mention that one of the reasons for the gym's closure was because it wasn't being used enough by the Navan community and was no longer a viable business. The building has structural repair and fit out costs together with annual fees that made it a costly venue to say the least. Had the Council jumped in without due consideration then we could easily find ourselves in the situation experienced last year at the Claremont Stadium: a fantastic venue but in huge financial trouble.
Simple questions needed to be asked of the Community to avoid disaster and ensure we actually have suitable groups ready to use venues and residents wanting to attend on a regular basis to ensure a sustainable future.
The past year has seen a growing desire by a large percentage of the people to bring about a change.
The past year has seen a growing desire by a large percentage of the people to bring about a change.
The Survey
The Survey
It was prudent of the Council to arrange a survey to ask us what we wanted and canvassed 3,000 homes in a study area far bigger than we anticipated.
What came as a surprise was the extent of the issue and the people affected. Their study area identified nearly everything this side of the River Boyne, a 1/3rd of Navan, and more than 5 sq km of largely residential land that is without Community Facilities.
Note that the fields on the aerial map to the north of Kentstown Road will host a mixed development in the next 5 to 10 years and considerably increase our population.
Consultant's Stall in the Johnstown Shopping Centre, October 2017.
The Results.
The Results.
The feedback from Meath County Council's 'Johnstown Community Facilities Survey' might seam blatantly obvious but we'd all be complaining had something been created for us from taxpayers money without first asking the community for our opinions.
Did you answer the survey?
Did you answer the survey?
Given that Navan South Communities Unite now has over 1,800 members (was 600 at the time) and the petition gained over 1,500 it is disappointing to see less than 20% of the 3,000 households canvassed respond. Had the survey been conducted online today then possibly x3 the responses would be recorded.
Unsurprisingly most responded online with a small number by post or in person to the consultants. Without spending thousands on consultants the responses are however enough to give an insight and give some confidence that we're not just making noise.
Produced by the Future Analytics Consultants the original questionnaire is below together with the Consultants report or read our very brief interpretation of the 29 page report.
3-318 Johnstown Community Facility_Survey_Print.pdfJohnstown Community Survey Report_V1 (1).pdfOur Interpretation
Our Interpretation
If all 570 survey respondents were to use one facility then it would be a very busy and sustainable venue. Our responses indicated that we would use it throughout the week but mostly on the weekday evenings.
By far the most frequent comment was the lack of a venue within reasonable walking distance. We're also interested in outdoor spaces but since land is scarce we're unlikely to have everything in one location.
Preferences
Preferences
When it came to choosing specific activities this was the section we heard most people criticise since you could only pick 3 from the list. This did help us to focus only on what was really important to us and chose things we might actually attend rather what might be nice to have.
Activities
Activities
Listed in order of popularity:
- Playground 61%
- Youth centre 53%
- Health & Fitness 50%
- Sporting amenity (indoor) 48%
- Family activity 45%
- Sporting amenity (outdoor) 39%
- Older persons drop-in centre 27%
- Community meeting space 25%
- Adult Education Classes 24%
- Parent and toddler groups 21%
- Activities for people with special needs 19%
- Arts & Crafts 18%
- Allotments and Community Gardens 16%
- Dog park 16%
- Outdoor Skate park 15%
- Crèche to enable parents to attend activities 14%
- Performing arts 12%
- Language classes 11%
- Back to work assistance 8%
- Social welfare and debt advice 7%
- Female only activities 6%
- Addiction services 6%
- Other 3%
- Male only activities 3%
Albeit a small response group it is encouraging that even a result of 10% suggests 57 people are interested. In some cases this would be more than enough to set up an activity group right now and use a local venue.
An essential principle of a community centre is bringing its people together for Activities. It is encouraging that we could have enough volunteers to run a venue, participate in hosting the activities and to actually attend events.
Times
Times
The responses imply that we could have regular use of a venue provided the right activities are being provided.
- Weekdays - Evenings 44%
- Weekends 28%
- Weekdays - Mornings 18%
- Weekdays - Afternoons 10%
There are more observations in the individual comments but we have established some basic facts and it has been done in a way that validates our needs when we come to apply for future grants and funding.
Now we need a venue but where?
Now we need a venue but where?
What do we have in the meantime......?
What do we have in the meantime......?
We appreciate that there's no overnight solution so here we've listed plausible venues if you are interested in hosting a group activity.
We appreciate that there's no overnight solution so here we've listed plausible venues if you are interested in hosting a group activity.
It only takes one to start and others will follow!
It only takes one to start and others will follow!
Indoor Space
Indoor Space
Navan has 2 purpose built Community Centres with Claremont Stadium to the West and The Windtown Unity Centre to the North.
In late January Navan Forogie Youth Club opened in Adare House opposite the Meath Chronicle and is now the closest access building for our younger residents.
The map identifies these locations but all require transport and the red line is the Johnstown Facilities Survey boundary.
Local Venues
Local Venues
We do have venues that might be within walking distance and may be suitable. We've also identified some of the groups who currently make use these spaces if you wanted to get their input.
The map shows these locations and the red line is the Johnstown Facilities Survey boundary and the yellow indicates the Johnstown Tidy Towns Entry.
Also highly noticeable are the 2 vacant buildings, shown in black, which are reasonably central to the entire area.
Large Venues
Large Venues
The Ardboyne Hotel
The Ardboyne Hotel
Large function rooms through to smaller meeting and presentation space.
Navan Rugby Club
Navan Rugby Club
A sports bar and 2 separate Function Rooms can host 100 each. Read Article
Contact Mary 0868734230 www.navanrfc.ie
- Slimming World with Alison
- Slimming World with Carmel
- Irish Kenpo Karate Club
- Encore Dance School
Schools
Schools
We have 3 local schools but limited access for any non school activity.
Small Venues
Small Venues
Navan Tennis Club
Navan Tennis Club
Club House Lounge with 5 all weather Tennis Courts. Read Article
Navan Education Centre
Navan Education Centre
6 separate spaces can accommodate groups from 10 - 80 comfortably in fully equipped meeting/training rooms.
O'Briens Bar and Restaurant
O'Briens Bar and Restaurant
A dedicated room upstairs can host private parties for up to 100 people whilst the lounge area can host smaller gatherings
Taylor's of Johnstown
Taylor's of Johnstown
Lounge area can host 'pub' style events such as fundraisers and parties. Read Article
The Old Bridge Inn, Willows
The Old Bridge Inn, Willows
Lounge area can host 'pub' style events such as fundraisers, quiz or parties.
- Colaiste Na Mi Secondary School Parents Association
Vacant Buildings
Vacant Buildings
These 2 are central within our area but not owned by the Council.
- Despite the Former Energie Gym having been bought early 2017 rumors abound for its ultimate use but it still remains derelict with an unconfirmed future.
- The Athlumney Centre also bought in 2017 include the former Pit Stop/O'Dwyers, The former Casino/Restaurant Upstairs, the Old Butchers, the old Hairdressers and the former Spar shop are all still vacant without a confirmed future tennant.
New Buildings
New Buildings
The proposed new apartment buildings on Metges Road will include some non residential space but until planning is seen it's not clear what these will be or who could have access. <Read More: New Apartments Approved>
The 'Johnstown North' new mixed use area beyond the Kentstown road is still several years away. <Read More: Johnstown Changes Article>
Meath County Council HQ, Buvinda House
Meath County Council HQ, Buvinda House
If anyone makes a break through to acquire any use of this please get in touch.
If you take up the challenge to form a new group and make use of any local spaces then get in tough and we'll help promote you.
If you take up the challenge to form a new group and make use of any local spaces then get in tough and we'll help promote you.
Read Next in Feb Edition
Read Next in Feb Edition
Price Hike.
Price Hike.
Recent property price rises have seen local rents rapidly and dramatically increase.
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