Work is to begin shortly on a new Regional Athletics Hub for Newcastle West in County Limerick following a grant totalling just over €1.25 million under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund. €1,256,276 has been awarded for the new regional athletics hub at Cloonyschrehane, Newcastle West, which includes the construction of an athletics track to international IAAF standard, floodlights and all associated track facilities with disability access.
The total cost of the construction of the hub is around €2.5 million, with the majority of the balance of the funding coming from Limerick City and County Council’s own resources as well as smaller sums from the Sports Capital Programme and Hinterland Fund.
The aim of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects. These would be projects where the Exchequer investment would be greater than the maximum amount available under the Sports Capital Programme (SCP). All project proposals will be subject to appropriate economic analysis.
It is planned that construction of the Regional Athletics Hub will begin later this year.
Meanwhile €646,659 has been allocated to Askeaton Pool and Leisure Centre. This funding will be used for the relocation and rewiring of the swimming pool plant room which is liable to flood in adverse weather conditions.
Gordon Daly, Director of Community Development and Manager of the Newcastle West Municipal District said: “Limerick City and County Council is delighted that funding has been granted for the new athletics hub for Newcastle West. Work will begin in earnest on delivering the hub, which has been called for by the athletics community across County Limerick and further afield. This will be a fantastic 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 funding for Askeaton Pool and Leisure is the first step in alleviating the flood threat at the centre. Work now commence on designs to relocate and rewire the swimming pool plant room which is currently prone to flooding of the River Deel.”