Work begns on new Tullamore sports facility

Work has begun on a brand new sports facility near the centre of Tullamore.

Based at a 9.75 acre site at the rear of Tullamore Tennis Club on the Ardan Road, the new facility will have two playing pitches, a circular walking route with exercise stations, changing facilities and a car park.

It is being created by Tullamore Sports Link, which comprises of Tullamore GAA, Camogie and Ladies Football Clubs. It signed a 999 year lease with Tullamore Town Council for the land at Dr Kelly’s field in 2011.

Tullamore Sports Link was established with a view to encouraging participation by the broader community in sporting activities. Renowned athlete and Offaly Person of the Year Pauline Curley is due to officially launch the initiative in the Bridge House Hotel in Tullamore this Friday.

Chairman of Tullamore Sports Link, Fergal McKeon believes the project could cost around €500,000 to complete. With this in mind, Tullamore Sports Link is set to launch a Monster Draw in order to raise funds for the project.

Mr McKeon said the project has received €75,000 in Sports Capital funding but will need to raise more money locally. “It is a community thing, there will be a walkway all the way around it,” said Mr McKeon.

He said “we had started clearing the site before Christmas but the bad weather stopped us.” He now expects work to resume once the weather improves. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2016 for use in 2017. The following two phases are expected to be completed by 2020.   
Tullamore Sports Link’s development of Dr Kelly’s Field will be launched in the Bridge House on Friday, when details of the Monster Draw will also be outlined.