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Tánaiste Simon Harris to visit Wexford for sod-turning of Sports Hub – ‘It is a significant investment'

Tánaiste Simon Harris to visit Wexford for sod-turning of Sports Hub – ‘It is a significant investment'

The state-of-the-art Sports Hub has been in the works for a number of years, but has been repeatedly delayed much to the frustration of residents and councillors. The source of the delay was the long drawn out process between the multiple groups working on the plans and tender, with speculation by Senator Cathal Byrne that the plan has become too ambitious for the €600,000 funding it received.
"I was chair of the district when the first €300,000 was awarded and then went out to tender. I think the project became a bit more ambitious and I think we received another €300,000 in a second round of government funding,' he explained.
The initial funding of €300,000 was sourced in 2019 under the government's Sports Capital Programme and has since received further allocated funding under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
However, the visit by the Tánaiste and Minister for Sport Patrick Donovan signals positive progress for the project.
Constructed in 2015, Phase One of Enniscorthy Sports Hub was developed at a cost of €1 million, following an investment of €850,000 by Wexford County Council and a supporting grant of €150,000.
Phase One works consisted of an all-weather, eight-lane world-class running track and in-field facility together with extensive floodlighting and car-parking facilities.
The sod turning event on Saturday, August 8 will mark the progress on Phase Two which will see a club building built with various amenities.
"It is fantastic for Enniscorthy. It will make it possible for the town to host regional championships. Plus all of the current users will have much-needed access to toilets, changing rooms, and facilities. It is quite a significant investment so I asked Deputy Harris and Minister for Sport Patrick O'Donovan to come down and they accepted the invitation,' he added.
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Tánaiste Simon Harris to visit Wexford for sod-turning of Sports Hub – ‘It is a significant investment'
Tánaiste Simon Harris to visit Wexford for sod-turning of Sports Hub – ‘It is a significant investment'

Irish Independent

time2 days ago

  • Irish Independent

Tánaiste Simon Harris to visit Wexford for sod-turning of Sports Hub – ‘It is a significant investment'

The state-of-the-art Sports Hub has been in the works for a number of years, but has been repeatedly delayed much to the frustration of residents and councillors. The source of the delay was the long drawn out process between the multiple groups working on the plans and tender, with speculation by Senator Cathal Byrne that the plan has become too ambitious for the €600,000 funding it received. "I was chair of the district when the first €300,000 was awarded and then went out to tender. I think the project became a bit more ambitious and I think we received another €300,000 in a second round of government funding,' he explained. The initial funding of €300,000 was sourced in 2019 under the government's Sports Capital Programme and has since received further allocated funding under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). However, the visit by the Tánaiste and Minister for Sport Patrick Donovan signals positive progress for the project. Constructed in 2015, Phase One of Enniscorthy Sports Hub was developed at a cost of €1 million, following an investment of €850,000 by Wexford County Council and a supporting grant of €150,000. Phase One works consisted of an all-weather, eight-lane world-class running track and in-field facility together with extensive floodlighting and car-parking facilities. The sod turning event on Saturday, August 8 will mark the progress on Phase Two which will see a club building built with various amenities. "It is fantastic for Enniscorthy. It will make it possible for the town to host regional championships. Plus all of the current users will have much-needed access to toilets, changing rooms, and facilities. It is quite a significant investment so I asked Deputy Harris and Minister for Sport Patrick O'Donovan to come down and they accepted the invitation,' he added.

Funding difficulties delay work on Wicklow sports park
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Funding difficulties delay work on Wicklow sports park

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Arklow Sailing Club's new training vessel to develop more ‘women at the helm'
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