Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has warmly welcomed the news that a planning application is due to be submitted to Wicklow County Council for a new Sports and Recreation Centre on the site of the former Garda Station in Ashford. The proposed development will represent a major investment in local infrastructure and a long-overdue facility for a growing community.
Deputy Brady commended the Ashford Development Association for their tireless efforts in advancing the project and described the plans as a “transformational opportunity” for Ashford.
“This marks a really important and exciting step forward for the community in Ashford. I want to sincerely commend the Ashford Development Association for their outstanding work in bringing forward detailed plans for what promises to be a fantastic Sports and Recreation Centre. This facility is badly needed in an area like Ashford, where the population has been growing steadily and the demand for modern community and recreational amenities continues to rise.
The development will not only provide a high-quality sports and recreation hub for residents of all ages, but it will also finally bring an end to the long-standing dereliction of the former Garda Station—a building that has lain vacant and unused for over 20 years.”
Brady also highlighted that the submission of the planning application brings closure to a years-long campaign which he led, to have the site taken into public ownership and made available for community use.
“This moment is the culmination of a campaign I’ve been proud to lead over recent years—fighting to ensure that the former Garda Station was handed over for public use and placed into public ownership. That campaign was ultimately successful, with Wicklow County Council acquiring the property in 2022. Securing the site for public use was a major achievement, and today’s progress shows what can be done when a community works together with purpose and vision.
The planned Ashford Sports and Recreation Centre will be a tremendous asset for the village, providing a central space for sports, wellbeing, and social activity. It will become a focal point for community life and marks a significant investment—expected to cost in the region of €3 million—that will benefit generations to come.
I believe we now all have a role to play in seeing this project through to completion. With the planning application about to be submitted, I urge Wicklow County Council to give it their full support. Once planning is granted, we must collectively work to ensure the necessary funding is secured to deliver the project.
I remain fully committed to supporting this initiative at every stage. This development is not just about a building—it’s about creating a strong, connected, and vibrant Ashford. We’ve come a long way, and now we need to finish what we started.” Ends
For more information contact: Deputy John Brady 085-8546464
