GARLAND feasibility recommends Athletics Hub

Jun 23, 2016

The development of a Regional Athletics Hub in Newcastle West has taken a vital step further with the publication  of GARLAND's feasibility study validating the need for the facility. The feasibility explored the case for the €1.3m Regional Athletics Hub in Newcastle West and, after the study concluded there is a need for such a facility, the findings will now be considered in detail by the Limerick City and County Council.

The local authority commissioned GARLAND to carry out the study following initial research by a local steering group representing a cross section of athletics and related activities.

The feasibility study, which involved extensive consultation with key stakeholders including Athletics Clubs and schools, recommends that the Regional Athletics Hub is delivered on a phased basis, with Phase 1 being the development of a 400m 8-Lane Athletics track. Phase 2 would involve the purchase and installation of field sport equipment and facilities.

The study identified a .9acre preferred site on the Cork Road after considering eight sites in total. The study reveals that by 2021, the facility will have over 6,000 potential users. It will serve nine athletics clubs in the region, with the core user being West Limerick Athletics Club using the facility on an almost daily basis.

Currently there are 12 tracks in Munster, with a number of them 200m training tracks instead of the 400m track proposed for the Newcastle West site. It has been endorsed by clubs and by the 41 primary and post primary schools surveyed, which between them have over 2,070 students involved in athletics out of a total population of c. 9,000. It has also been backed by other stakeholders, including Community Games, Special Olympics and disabled/special needs sector.

The feasibility study outcomes have been warmly welcomed by Cllr Michael Collins, Cathaoirleach of the Newcastle West Municipal District. “I am pleased that the Newcastle West Municipal District was in a position to fund this important feasibility study. This regional facility would be of great benefit to the area providing a much needed resource for clubs, schools, community games and other users. I also want to commend the local steering group for their initiative and work on this,” he said.

Gordon Daly, Director of Services with Limerick City and County Council stated: “There are a number of different models identified in the feasibility study for the delivery of the project. The next step for the Council will be to consider these in conjunction with the local steering group and to identify the best way to fund, develop and operate the proposed facility.”

The publication of the Feasibility Study has also been welcomed by Jim Galvin, Chairman of the local steering group who thanked local councillors for their support to date. “The Steering Group welcome the findings of the study and look at it as an opportunity not only to invest in a facility for Athletics and sport but as an opportunity to invest in the health and wellbeing of the community in the region.”

A range of options are available to enable Limerick City and County Council to both participate in the development of the new Regional Athletics Hub and influence the business model to be used to operate and run the facility into the future.

The full Limerick County Council Press Release is available here, which was also featured in the Limerick Leader.