Links to Presentations from
Clones Town Opportunities for Investment Conference
held on 19th June 2008
CEB Presentation 2008 - Opp for Investment Conf
Infrastructure in Clones - Paul Clifford
The Future is Bright for Clones
BRIAN Morgan, Chairman of the Clones Regeneration Partnership, predicts a bright future for Clones. “Clones can look forward to an era of prosperity and regeneration which will be way beyond that which was hoped for in the Partnership’s original Strategy.” In an exclusive interview, the Chairman reveals the Partnership’s future plans for Clones.
The Ulster Canal
The Partnership is delighted that one of their primary objectives, the reopening of the Ulster Canal, will become a reality. “The construction of the Canal will create a new way of life for the people of Clones. It will restore the economy to its former glory, bring a pride to its people and assist strong growth in the town over the coming years,” Mr Morgan said.
Open Space - Open Minds
The Open Space for Open Minds Project is the latest funding initiative given by Border Action to the Regeneration Partnership. “This project aims to establish Clones as a wealth creating town, where talented people will be introduced to the tools of creativity that will enable them to develop their ideas and businesses. Over the next two years, and within constraints of the budget, the Partnership aims to promote a ‘Creative Hub’ Initiative for the Clones Business Technology Park,” the Chairman explained.
The project’s six objectives are to develop a strategy for growth and competitiveness, to establish a Creativity Learning Hub, to attract four new enterprises and to create ten jobs in this sector. “The Partnership looks forward to the implementation of this project which indicates continuing support from Grant Agencies and their belief that their money will not be wasted.”
St Tiernach’s Park
Clones residents and businesses were outraged when the Ulster Council decided to hold the Ulster Final in Croke Park to cater for increased attendances. While it came as a great relief when that decision was reversed this year, no guarantee has been given that Clones will future finals.
“St Tiernach’s Park is a source of great pride to the local community and the annual revenue accruing to the town from staging Ulster Finals and many more other Championship matches gives a major boost to the local economy,” Mr Morgan said.
Presently, the Council is in the process of selecting a venue within the Province for redevelopment and modernisation. For these reasons, St. Tiernach’s Park Development Committee was established to promote Clones as an ideal venue.
Tourism
One tourism strategy is the provision of a Marina in Clones, which the Partnership believe will greatly boost the local tourism. “One only has to look at what Marina facilities have done for towns like Belturbet and Carrick-on-Shannon to appreciate what such a development would mean for the town of Clones. The town needs a beacon development which will attract people to visit and live in Clones. Such a development will require private investment and will lead to many other private enterprises within the town.”
Sports Project
The state-of-the-art sports facility, being promoted by Community Sports Partnership, is still at a very early stage of growth and requires continued support according to the Chairman. “This project will be a beacon for the community of Clones – a place our young people will have a venue where they can engage in sporting activity and where parents will know that their children are safe and fulfilled.
“Clones will be the proudest town in County Monaghan and will boast a Community Sports Facility which will have no comparison in the county or the surrounding counties. It will attract families to come to live in Clones where it will compliment our existing excellent school facilities,” he added.
Rising from the Ashes
“The establishment of the border, closure of the railway and the Troubles caused complete commercial and social decline and a decreased population. Even until recently, there had been very little evidence of the Celtic Tiger in our town.”
In 1999, the Clones Regeneration Partnership was formed with the original strategy launched in November 2001 by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. “At that launch, I pointed out to An Taoiseach that the Strategy outlined a number of recommendations, which would lead to the continued social and economic regeneration of the town and its hinterland.
“I cannot over stress how neglected and ignored the people of Clones felt. A local comment, ‘last one to leave the town – turn out the lights’, had gained an eerie sense of realism. I stated that day, ‘that was then – this is now’. Clones would never dwell again on its recent bleak past but would look ambitiously to the future,” Mr Morgan explained.
With this furtherance of the vision set out in its original Strategy, the Clones Regeneration Partnership will seek funding for the appointment of a new Co-ordinator to continue the objects of the Strategy.
Community Spirit
THE CHAIRMAN of the Regeneration Partnership, Brian Morgan, stressed that the regeneration of Clones to date would not have occurred without the dedicated hard work of the people and bodies who have undertaken the following projects: Clones Erne East Partnership, New Library Headquarters and Branch Library, Clones Fire Station, The Clones Business Technology Park, Brighter Streetscape Project, Clones Courthouse Project, The Cassandra Hand Centre, The Protestant Hall, Scoil Chroi Ro Naofa, Largy College, Clones, Clones Community Childcare, Private Residential Development, and the Fountain and the Statue.
“If the Regeneration Partnership can claim any credit it is probably for the hope and vision which brought a lot of these projects into being. This hope and vision came from within the community of Clones.”