Many individuals and representatives of Skeheenarinky groups and associations were present at a meeting at the school on Friday night, 23rd April. It was good to see several past members of the Community Council there on the night.
The purpose of the meeting was to reconvene the Community Council with the further aim of investigating the possibility of building a Community Centre for the area. The enthusiasm of the gathering was very evident, and it was agreed to have the next meeting at the school (by kind permission) on Wednesday May 5th (8.30 pm), at which time the election of officers will take place. Nominations will be taken on the night. In the event of multiple nominations for any post, the decision will be made by paper ballot.
The meeting had an open agenda and many speakers were heard on a range of topics. From the floor, Sean Crotty wisely exercised caution to those about to be nominated to the various posts. Sean has been one of the greatest advocates of a Community Centre for Skeheenarinky over the years but has no illusions about the task ahead. “It will require a huge commitment from all concerned,” he said, “and this is not a short term project.” The group were reminded that when approaching a project of this nature, it is important to be aware that if a Community Centre is established in the area, it will require continued hard work to run the centre and to generate the funding necessary each year to pay the many expenses associated with such ventures. Given the success of several ambitious events in Skeheenarinky over the past few years, there is no doubting the community spirit in the area or the ability of the residents to achieve whatever goals they should set for themselves.
The meetings of the new Council will be open to all the people in the community and the Council invites anyone who wishes their opinion to be expressed and/or their voice to be heard to come along. This is your Community Council, please tell us what your ideas are.
Speakers from at least two established community centres will be invited to address the May 5th meeting to explain how they started, what problems they faced and what advice they would give us starting out. It is hoped that as many people, or more, turn up on that night as were present at the recent meeting. Please make every effort to attend, and encourage your neighbours and friends to attend as well. In the meantime, everyone is encouraged to discuss with those neighbours and friends their vision for the role of the reconvened Community Council and their vision of how a Community Centre might function to the enrichment of community life.
— Avondhu Newspaper, April 29, 2010.
