Construction of €3,000,000 Athletics hub in Newcastle West gets under way

THE start of construction of the Newcastle West Regional Athletics Hub is now underway, after years of legislation and planning.

The athletics hub project was given the green light in January 2020, when it was expected to start construction later that year, but given the salad of problems that faced the construction sector since then, the project is finally starting to set the foundations of Newcastle West Regional Athletics Hub.

The project was granted more than €1,250,000, last January, for the Cloonyschrehane part of Newcastle West, which will see the building the track,  to an international IAAF standard, with floodlights and all associated track facilities with disability access.

Delighted to be able to represent the Government with @NiallCollinsTD at the start of the construction of the regional athletics track in #NewcastleWest today. I was Minister for Sport when this project first started so it’s fantastic to see the project moving forward. pic.twitter.com/rcLgkJ6Rkt

— Patrick O’Donovan (@podonovan) June 4, 2021

The rest of the projected €3,000,000 project, will be supplied by the Limerick City and County Council, the Spots Capital Fund, and the Hinterland Fund

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Speaking on site, at the start of construction, Minister for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan said: [I’m] Delighted to be able to represent the Government with Niall Collins T.D.  at the start of the construction of the regional athletics track in Newcastle West today. I was Minister for Sport when this project first started so it’s fantastic to see the project moving forward.

Gordon Daly, Director of Community Development 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.”