Castlegarians in BC and Ireland offer similar recreation rejections
By Kyra Hoggan
A recent, failed recreation referendum in Castlegar is being echoed by the city’s namesake a half a world away.
Townsite founder Edward Mahon named Castlegar after his home in Castlegar, County Galway, Ireland, back in 1897.
On June 23, the Canadian contingent of Castlegarians was presented with a vote authorizing $22,000,000 in construction costs to expand local recreation facilities. Although Castlegar proper voted 57 per cent in favour, as did Area J (at 56.6 per cent), Area I vetoed the proposal with only 28.6 per cent voting yes. As the vote was area –by-area, as opposed to an all-in vote, the proposition failed.
Just over two weeks later, on July 8, the Connaught Tribune in Ireland reported the following headline: “Planners turn down proposal for sports facilities in Castlegar”.
The article reads:
“Planners have rejected proposals for new sports facilities in Ballintemple, Castlegar.
“The plan led by Liam Mulryan set out to develop up to five playing pitches, a clubhouse with dressing rooms and entrance/car parking facilities.
“In turning down the proposal, planners stated the development would interfere with the safety and freeflow of traffic along the R339.
“Planners also noted the development’s proximity to residential areas stating it could depreciate the value of property in the vicinity.”
Castlegar is a village and parish in County Galway, Ireland, located just outside the city of Galway.
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