Laois County Council - Sports & Leisure

Laois County Council scoops prestigious Chamber’s Ireland Excellence Award.

Laois County Council picked up a prestigious award at Chambers Ireland fifth annual Excellence in Local Government Award on Thursday 6^th November 2008. The awards aim to acknowledge and encourage innovation and best practice among Ireland ’s Local Authorities. The award in the Sport & Recreation category was for the Portlaoise Leisure Centre and Portlaoise Athletic Track projects.

Accepting Award

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley T.D., Ann Marie Maher, David Pierce, President, Chambers Ireland and Christoph Haustein, Crowne Plaza Dublin Hotel, Northwood.

Projects were initially nominated by local Chamber of Commerce and shortlisted into the various category areas and were adjudicated based on the project’s ability to demonstrate its benefit to the community. The Awards, at which RTE’s Mary Kennedy was the MC.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormely T.D presented the award to Ms Ann Marie Maher, Sport & Leisure Officer at the function attended by over 520 Local Authority officials and Chamber representatives. Ms Maher commented that she was delighted that Laois County Council is being recognised for its consistent efforts to enhance quality of life through the provision of sport and recreation facilities throughout County Laois . It was particulary impressive as the Portlaoise Leisure Centre has only been open to the public since December 17^th, 2007. and has already scooped a prominent LAMA Local Government Award in January 2007.