The community spirit of the people in Leitrim Mór near Loughrea is a ‘unique example’ for struggling rural villages all over Ireland.
That’s according to Tracey Hannon of Clann Credo, the social finance provider that loaned the Leitrim Sports and Recreational Development Group part of the €345,000 they needed to create a sports hub for their area’s growing population.
For locals, the development has created a focal point for the community to meet and interact like never before.
Planning and fundraising began in 2012, and has successfully provided the locals with a sports field, a walking track, an astro-turf pitch and a playground, as well as an underground passage to keep pedestrians off a busy stretch of road – facilities that they had long been waiting for.
“It’s a kind of a unique development,” said Tracey. “What they did was they developed an underground walkway – parking is across the road but the kids can walk underneath it, from the school, which is very innovative from a safety perspective.”
The facility has been a huge success since it opened in October 2014 and Clann Credo’s support in the provision of finance was critical to getting it off the ground.
Clann Credo provides finance to communities when such funds would not be available from the usual financial institutions.
They take into account the social impact that projects will have on the community, as well as the positive impact it could have on the lives of those who live there.
“We are a social finance provider – we provide lump finance to community based organisations that can demonstrate social benefits, as well as a capacity to repay a loan.
“With general business, you are looking for a profit or a margin but here, we are looking for a social benefit – it could be sports, meals on wheels, social housing, community tourism, childcare, eldercare – right across the spectrum,” said Tracey.
Liam Fogarty, treasurer of the development group for the area, described the facility as a “huge boost” for the town’s growing population.
In just nine years, Leitrim Mór saw its population spike by 26 per cent. However, facilities were never upgraded to meet the demand.
“The facility has become a focal point for families in the local community,” said Liam. “For young families, it’s across from the school; it’s great for older people who can use the walkway because it’s lit up and a safe area to get exercise.”
Tracey praised the inclusivity of the organisation in bringing local GAA and soccer clubs, the national school, the community games and Special Olympics groups when deciding on what they needed.
She believed that the fundraising done by the community was paramount to the development of the strong bond that has ensured the continued success of the project.
“Fundraising can be a huge challenge for organisations but the clever organisation tries to develop fundraising activities which will provide people with a social opportunity; it provides them with an event or something they can attend as opposed to just being asked for money.” explained Tracey.
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