LIMERICK could be set to get Ireland’s first indoor velodrome outside of Dublin under ambitious plans between the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and Cycling Ireland.
TUS and Cycling Ireland this week signed a memorandum of understanding to develop an indoor velodrome at TUS’ planned new multi-use arena on its Coonagh Campus.
An application for planning permission was lodged to Limerick City and County Council in July, with plans to develop a new multi-use arena on the campus which would house the new 200m indoor cycling track, as well as facilities for various other sports including gymnastics, badminton, volleyball and tennis, as well providing a space for student exams, lectures, and events.
Now, TUS and Cycling Ireland have committed to pursue the €15.4million project as a joint application through the Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund, with hopes that the arena will be completed in 2027.
President of TUS Professor Vincent Cunnane said that the university is committed to providing much-needed infrastructure to athletes.
“TUS is committed to building and enhancing relationships and partnerships to drive the sustainable development of our regions and to positively impact our communities,” Prof Cunnane said.
The TUS President added that “the shared values of the university and Cycling Ireland provide the foundations for a strong relationship to meet these goals, working together to provide much needed sport facilities for athletes, while also opening up opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities on the north side of Limerick city and the wider region”.
“With our new campus at Coonagh, we have capacity for sports developments and the ideally positioned, multi-use arena incorporating a velodrome will help the development of the north side of the city,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of Cycling Ireland James Quilligan said that the organisation is “excited that the development of such a facility in Limerick will help develop the sport and allow international athletes to train here”.
“By providing a community-based facility with a 200m velodrome track, it will encourage participation in the sport and can act as a satellite feeder to the Sport Ireland Campus velodrome for events, competitions, and the development of future representative cyclists.”
