Pigott wants network of youth cafés and Women’s Sheds

A repeated issue in Castlepollard is a lack of facilities for teenagers and a high demand for a Women’s Shed, according to Maureen Pigott, a Sinn Féin election candidate.

She said: “I have identified the perfect location – while canvassing Castlepollard, a number of residents said they would love to see something done with the old community cCollege, and it struck me as the perfect opportunity.”

Ms Pigott said she has since been in touch with the chief executive of the LWETB, and Kathleen Funchion, spokesperson on Children, Equality and Disability.

“The first idea came from speaking to a number of young women, in particular a young widow who told me her story of loss and need for community when she returned to Ireland after the death of her husband.

“The second Idea came from noticing that teenagers still hang out in the same underwhelming areas, down side allies and on street benches, listening to music and doing nothing, like they did 17 years ago, when I was a teenager in Castlepollard.

“My proposal is as follows: use the space which was the old community college in Castlepollard as a Women’s Shed. There are several successful Women’s Sheds across the county – the one in Kinnegad is a great example – it would provide women from the age of 20 with a productive, safe haven.

“I also suggest we reinvigorate the basketball courts and part of the old school as a youth cafe for teenagers in the evenings.

“It would be a priority of mine if elected to see a network of these dual purpose areas opened across the constituency.”