Athlone Rapid Programme

Revitalising Areas Through Planning, Investment and Development

The RAPID Programme is a focused Government response aimed at helping communities living in areas, which have not fully shared in the prosperity of the country over the last number of years.

It is a three-year programme and its purpose is to ensure that:

• Designated areas are prioritised for resources and investment at a national level (with other RAPID areas)
• Designated areas are prioritised for resources and support at a local level by the organisations working in the area
• Services delivered to the areas are co-ordinated
• Residents in the areas work with agencies and organisations in the delivery of services and investment into their areas

The RAPID Programme in Athlone was launched during the summer of 2002, under the auspices of the Community and Enterprise Section of Westmeath County Council and under the direction of a dedicated Co-ordinator appointed by the Council.

It is implemented locally by an Area Implementation Team (AIT) involving representatives of the main organisations working in Athlone and representatives of a residents’ working group (RWG) drawn from the six designated residential areas in Athlone, listed as follows: Battery Heights, St. Mel’s Terrace, Blackberry Lane, Ashdale/Woodland Grove, Sarsfield Square and Monksland (Cedarwood Drive).

The Programme is monitored locally by the Westmeath County Development Board Social Inclusion Measures’ (SIM) Working Group. 
As part of the consultation process in relation to needs in the RAPID areas, residents and youth organisations identified a lack of organised activities for young people and problems in relation to anti-social behaviour as well as a lack of resources for youth work.

In addition, the lack of indoor and outdoor facilities is also a problem in a number of the areas while the problem of under-utilised facilities was also highlighted. The provision of new facilities under the RAPID Programme will create opportunities for the development of sporting activities.

Contact Details
Anne Galvin
RAPID Co-ordinator, 
Civic Offices,
The Crescent, 
Athlone. 
Tel: (090) 642100/42113