When he laid the foundation stone of a new community centre in Kilbarrack, Dublin, the President, Mr. Childers, said yesterday that, if city life in the future is to become good rather than evil, local people must become mutually and totally involved in the welfare and lives of their neighbours. If this were not done, he said, all the advantages of city life would be out-weighed by the fact that the people living in these huge areas did not know or care either about their neighbours or their own locality.
With the expected growth of Dublin, said the President, we all faced a fearful responsibility in this matter. The evil example of what happened in other cities should serve as a warning to us here. Community development, he said, had been much neglected in the past but the need for it was now being recognised. Many social service councils had already been set up, but there was need for further development.
Kilbarrack, said the President, had moved in the right, positive direction. He particularly praised the plan for creating gardens, and for encouraging sports. He said that in another 20 years, unless all the children of the urban communities could play some kind of game when they wanted to, there would be a very serious moral and physical breakdown in the character of the young people now growing up. Immediate planning was absolutely essential.
Mr. Fred Mullen, chairman of the City Commissioners, said that Kilbarrack had given an outstanding example of a sincere community effort, and had set a headline for other communities in Dublin. He assured the residents that their efforts would get every possible encouragement from Dublin Corporation.
Dr. Michael Woods, chairman of the community project committee said that the Community Association’s membership had expanded to over 800 families and over 100 members were actively involved on committees. “We believe,” he said, “that Kilbarrack is a vital and active community, and an exciting place in which to live.” The first phase of the community centre, he said, would cost £14,500, and this would be paid for by the weekly contributions of members. It would cater for both young and old and would provide a whole complex of facilities.
Dr. Woods said that the centre was due to be completed next November, and this would coincide with the opening of 61 flats for old people which, at the Community Association’s request would be placed directly opposite the centre.