New Limerick Regional Athletics Hub brings international standard track and field sport facilities
Newcastle West facility opens today - first Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund project to be fully complete
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, T.D., and the Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne T.D., today (14th September 2023) welcomed the official opening of the new Limerick Regional Athletics Hub in Newcastle West in Limerick. The project was allocated €1,256,276 under the Department’s Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
The new facility consists of an 8 lane synthetic international standard athletics track, surrounding walking track; floodlighting and public lighting of the facilities, infrastructure including roads, car parking and a services building. The hub will also provide dedicated areas for shot put, discus, hammer throw, javelin, long jump, high jump, and pole vault – ensuring comprehensive support for a wide range of athletics disciplines.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “This is an incredible facility for the community which will benefit existing athletes, and encourage many more people to get involved in sport. Physical activity and sport should be open to everyone, no matter their age, background, or personal circumstances, so the Government has invested more than €1 million in this Limerick Regional Athletics Hub.
“Limerick has an outstanding sporting tradition, most recently with local athlete Sarah Lavin breaking the national 100m record in Switzerland, and I know this hub will help to produce many excellent athletes for the future.”
Minister Catherine Martin, commented:
“This is a transformational project for athletics in the Limerick region and I wish to congratulate the entire community and all the project partners on the opening of the new regional athletics hub. I have no doubt that this facility will be a valued resource which will promote health and fitness for all ages and abilities for many years to come. Irish athletes thrilled audiences at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest recently, reminding us that sport is a critical part of our individual, community and national life. Our ambition is to see more and more Irish athletes compete at the highest level in sport, and investment in this new facility will support that goal into the future.”
Speaking at the official opening, Minister Byrne, said:
“I’m delighted to attend the official opening of the Limerick Regional Athletics Hub in Newcastle West today. The delivery of this wonderful new facility is a testament to the hard work of the local clubs and Limerick City and County Council. The Government and I are determined to see continued investment in such sports facilities in order to ensure we achieve our ambitious targets for sports participation.
“I look forward to seeing many other Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund projects progressing throughout the country in the months ahead. Limerick is long renowned for its sporting prowess and I have no doubt that this new facility will develop many future athletics stars.”
ENDS
Editor’s Notes
The Limerick Regional Athletics Hub will include:
International Standard Athletics Track: this world-class track facility should elevate the standard of athletes training and competing in Limerick.
Field Sports Facilities: The hub will provide dedicated areas for shot put, discus, hammer throw, javelin, long jump, high jump, and pole vault – ensuring comprehensive support for a wide range of athletics disciplines.
Floodlights and Illuminated Path: The facility will be equipped with floodlights for the track and a fully lit walking path surrounding the track perimeter, enabling safe and convenient training and exercise opportunities during evenings and winter months.
Parking and Amenities: To accommodate athletes and spectators, the hub will offer car, bus, and bicycle parking facilities, along with accessible toilets and water points.
Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF);
The National Sports Policy was published in 2018 and provided for the establishment of the LSSIF. The first call for proposals under the LSSIF closed in 2019 with applications confined to local authorities and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of Sport. All applications were assessed in accordance with the published Evaluation Procedures and Guidelines and the first allocations were announced in January 2020. Thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals. Full details of these projects can be found at Full details of all allocations are available at:- https://www.gov.ie/en/service/4113b3-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/