MUGA boost for Grange Road

Stephen O’Leary

The Grange-Frankfield area has received a lift with the announcement that construction will begin shortly on a new multi-use games area (MUGA) on Grange Road.

Cllr Shane O’Callaghan confirmed the news following last Monday week’s Cork City Council meeting at Cork City Hall, where he requested an update from the Council Executive on plans for the €70,000 project.

The council executive also provided a commitment that the MUGA will be maintained by the Parks Section in City Hall.

Cllr O’Callaghan said: “The multi-use games area will be a fantastic amenity for the local community in Grange-Frankfield. It will be located beside the Grange Road entrance to the new pedestrian and cycle lane, which opened before Christmas. I have been pushing for both of these fantastic amenities for a number of years and it is great see them coming to fruition.”

A MUGA is “a dedicated area for sport, designed with a surface that will support a variety of sports in one location”. Standard sizes of the fenced-in area are 35m x 17m or 38m x 18m. Similar facilities exist at other city locations such as Tory Top Park, Ballyphehane, and Gerry O’Sullivan Park, Churchfield.

With the nearest MUGA and playground currently in Douglas Community Park, this news will be welcomed by a growing suburb that has until recently lacked many public facilities. Its location next to the new pedestrian and cycle lane, which grants residents access to Tramore Valley Park and the city centre via Vernon Mount Bridge, marks another step in developing the area’s amenities.

The council expects to have the MUGA open and ready for public use by June 2024.