Latest news with #SportsCapitalProgramme
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- 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.
Irish Independent
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Arklow Sailing Club's new training vessel to develop more ‘women at the helm'
Commissioned by B.J Marine, the Beneteau First 27 training boat was recently sailed from Greystones and delivered by club members to Arklow, where they were greeted by the seaside town's new RNLI lifeboat along with and club members boats out on Arklow Bay and escorted up the Avoca River to Arklow Marina where it will be berthed. Mainly funded by the National Lottery, with support from the Sports Capital Programme and a contribution from Arklow Sailing Club, commodore Seamus Cramer and vice commodore Patrick Russell said that their grant application under the Capital Sports Equipment Grant grew from an idea within the committee to promote the idea of an Equal Sailing Opportunities Development Programme. 'The goal of the project was to procure a sail training vessel to develop our women at the helm and develop sailing as a sport within the community,' Seamus said. 'The goal of the project was to procure a sail training vessel to develop our women at the helm and develop sailing as a sport within the community,' Seamus said. 'This new boat alongside our other sail training boat will help us develop female skippers and encourage women and junior skippers to take the helm, as well as encourage participation in regional and national races/regattas. 'We would like to extend a big thank you to all at the National Lottery and Sports Capital Programme and all of our committee for their work on this project. 'Also, a big thank you to all at Arklow Marina for providing a berth for the boat and John Doyle, Dolco Engineering Arklow, for supplying a Berthing Pack for the boat. 'Both Patrick and I agree that the new training boat will enhance the future for the sport of sailing in Arklow.'
Irish Independent
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Pics reveal all the fun of a Cork GAA club's fundraising golf classic
An impressive turnout added to the enjoyment of the occasion and the manicured course added to an event that traditionally receives a positive response. 'Participating teams help the club to further improve club development and add amenities for the community. 'The staging depended on the generosity of business, sponsors, friends and supporters of the club to support us in our fundraising activities and we appreciate the support,' said club Secretary Jennifer Casey. Development at the complex has continued over the past 35 years, and the arrival of the late Fr Finbarr Kelleher coincided with the rebirth of Kilbrin GAA Club in the 1970s. In the early 2000s, plans began for a new clubhouse, the ground floor contains two dressing rooms, toilets, referee's room, kitchen and the Dr Croke memorial room. Upstairs has a meeting room and gym, the gym was kitted out and work at the Complex financed through local fundraising and grants received from the Sports Capital Programme, Cork County Council and the GAA at Duhallow, county and provincial level. A walkway at the GAA Ground adds to the facilities at the club, proceeds from the golf classic will support club development. 'A big thank you is due to everybody who contributed to the great success of the day both from an enjoyment and financial point of view especially the participating teams, sponsors including main sponsors Burtons Topline from Kanturk, Ducon, Newmarket Motors and Oliver Casey Plant Hire,' said Jennifer. Taking first place was a team of Matthew Hootan, Conor Murphy and Stephen McAulliffe representing the Park Bar, Kanturk, with Brian Aherne, Jerry Meehan and Michael Dennehy from Thought that Counts in runner-up position. Best Gross went to a trio of Mairéad Martin, Brendan Martin and Shane O'Leary. Third place belonged to the O'Callaghan Motors team of Kevin Taylor, Tom Cambridge and Denis O'Connell. Jack Mulcahy claimed the Gent's Longest Drive, Mary Moran won the Ladies Longest Drive and Shane O'Leary won the Nearest to the Pin.
Irish Independent
12-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Wexford secondary school get green light to build new astro pitch
On Friday, March 28, school principal, John Michael Porter applied for planning permission with Wexford County Council. The application, that includes a 50 m by 60 m astroturf surface, surrounded fencing and four flood lights, was approved by the Planning Department on Friday, May 16, subject to conditions. One of the conditions under which the project was given the green light was that the 'proposed lighting design should avoid light spill onto public roads and neighbouring properties". In the interests of residential amenity and proper planning and sustainable development the council stated that 'the lighting scheme shall be installed so as to minimise any significant impact on the surrounding residential amenity and to prevent glare or dazzle on the public road or on adjoining properties, and energy efficient luminaire selection shall be used for the development'. School principal, John Michael Porter, explained how the development plan involves using funds granted from the Sports Capital Programme and will be supplemented by fundraising to improve the playing facilities in the school. 'The new facility will support the school's promotion of sporting opportunities for girls and will be used for PE classes and for team training. With our strong commitment to our local community it is also envisioned that local community groups will have the opportunity to hire the facility for evening and weekend sporting activities,' said Mr Porter. The facility will also be available to the students of the neighbouring primary schools, Bunscoil Rís and Catherine McAuley. The school is promoting a Pitch Development Draw as part of its fundraising campaign with the 1st prize of BYD Dolphin Car, or €30,000, and four additional prizes of €1,000. Tickets, costing €25, may be purchased online through iDonate or physical tickets may be purchased from the school, Lulu's Boutique in South Street or from school students. 'All support for the draw will be greatly appreciated,' concluded Mr Porter.
