The Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Michael Collins has fired the starting pistol on the new €3 million Regional Athletics Hub in Newcastle West.
Mayor Collins turned the sod marking the beginning of the construction of the new facility which includes an athletics track to international World Athletics standard, floodlights and all associated track facilities, which will have disability access.
The new regional athletics hub will be located on the Cork Road in the town.
Funding for the project has come mainly from Limerick City and County Council and the Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund, which is part of Project Ireland 2040 administered by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. In addition, funding has been received from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and locally from the JP McManus Benevolent Fund.
Contractors Sole Sports & Leisure Limited are now on site with works due to continue through 2021.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Michael Collins said: “I’m delighted that I had the pleasure of officially marking the start of construction of the Regional Athletics Hub here in my home town of Newcastle West. I have campaigned for many years for this track and I’m honoured that I have, as Mayor, officially marked the start of its construction.”
“This regional hub will be a fantastic asset to the town of Newcastle West and wider afield.”
“Special thanks must go to the track committee and its chair Jim Galvin for their hard work and dedication. I would also like to acknowledge the work of my fellow Municipal district councillors and the many other people and organisations who have supported the project including the ESB Community Wind Farm Fund (Grouselodge), the JP McManus Benevolent Fund and of course, Limerick City and County Council.
Gordon Daly, Director of Community Development with Limerick City and County Council and Manager of the Newcastle West Municipal District said: “This will be a great asset to the sporting community and the community in general and will have an important impact on the fitness and lifestyle of many people, young and old.”
“The track will be of the highest international standard allowing it to be used in competitions. The track has been long called for and Limerick City and County Council is very pleased to be commencing construction work shortly on this important piece of sporting infrastructure for County Limerick and further afield.”