Five Offaly projects receive €150k each in sports capital grants

Over €2.7m has been announced in Sports Capital Grants today for sports clubs and organisations in Offaly.

The largest allocations of €150,000 were announced for projects at four Offaly GAA clubs: Ballyskenach/Killavilla, Birr, Tullamore and Clonbullogue and for a Moneygall Community Clubhouse project by Moneygall Development Association Ltd.

Other big local beneficiaries under the latest allocations included St Marys Secondary School Edenderry which received €149,190 for phase 2 of a sports development plan andKilleigh Community Centre Development Association which received 149,769 for a multifunctional sports complex,

Fianna Fáil TD for Laois-Offaly Barry Cowen welcomed the announcement of what he described as a “bumper” Sports Capital grant for Offaly, which was part of a record nationwide allocation of €150m announced by Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin and Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers.

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.

Welcoming the announcement Deputy Cowen commented, "I’m delighted to see such a strong investment in grassroots sports from this Government, and particularly happy to see such a strong investment in the constituency.

"I’ve been engaging closely with both Minister Chambers and local clubs to ensure the best possible outcome for Offaly. It is great to see crowds back at big sporting events in recent weeks but our key focus is to get as many people participating as possible.

“I'm delighted to see such a strong focus in supporting grassroots sport in communities. Volunteer clubs in towns and villages across the county will be able to deliver really important projects aimed at improving participation across the board, providing enhanced facilities for clubs with strong female participation and supporting clubs active in disadvantaged communities.

"The record level funding allocation announced today was achieved with the support of my party colleague and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath. It reflects Government’s ongoing support to sport during the pandemic as it emerges from the challenges of the past two years.

"It also reflects the funding challenges facing clubs across the country and the vital role that sport plays in supporting community and individual wellbeing, a role that came into sharp focus during the pandemic.''

Minister of State Pippa Hackett welcomed the funding, which amounts to over €9m across the midlands with Laois and Westmeath each receiving €3.3m on top of Offaly's €2.7m

“The people who run sports organisations are primarily volunteers providing an extraordinary service and deserve to be fully supported in their efforts,” she said.

“As a runner myself, I know that sporting activity is crucial to our physical, mental and social wellbeing. As we emerge from restrictions, we need this activity more than ever.

“These grants will go towards changing rooms, pitches, tracks, lighting and facilities that we need to keep our sports activities going. Clubs have worked hard to apply for these grants and they can rightly celebrate. Unsuccessful applicants will have the opportunity to appeal and I would encourage them to do so.”

“Over 30 sports and activities are represented, ranging from competitive, track and field games right through to walking.

“I want to thank all of the volunteers associated with these clubs for their tireless work and their commitment to improving their facilities to benefit all members.”

Laois/Offaly TD Fine Gael TD, Charlie Flanagan also welcomed the funding. He said: “This important Government funding will greatly benefit sports clubs across Offaly over the coming year. The Sports Capital Programme was re-instated by Fine Gael in 2012, and is a real lifeline for teams, clubs and organisations here in Offaly.”

Cllr Mark Hackett said: “As a sports enthusiast I'm delighted to see this investment come to the Edenderry Municipal Area. Not only does it improve facilities but it creates and maintains jobs and is a boost to the local economy. Well done to all the clubs and organisations - I know there is a lot of hard work behind every application.”

The full list of Offaly allocations is:

The list is of clubs, projects and allocations in euros.

REGIONAL CAPITAL ALLOCATIONS

Tullamore Harriers Athletic Club

Phase 2 Tullamore Harriers Upgrade – Astro Pitch

140,099

LOCAL CAPITAL ALLOCATIONS

Ballinagar GAA

Fit out new Gym with equipment and furnishings.

22,621

Ballinamere GAA Club

Ballinamere GAA Club Development Project Phase3

35,307

Ballyskenagh/ Killavilla GAA Club

Ballyskenagh/ Killavilla GAA Club

150,000

Birr GAA Club

Ball Wall & All Weather Astro (40 x 20 metres)

150,000

Birr Golf Club

Drainage project and machinery purchase

16,983

Birr Rugby Football Club

Upgrading of training area and flood lights

133,190

Birr Town Soccer Club

Renovation to dressing rooms. Mobile goalposts

33,467

Birr Wilmer Tennis Club

Toilets & Resurface of mini courts

36,000

CCM Racing Club

Safe, Accessible and Benign Motocross Racing

9,586

Clonbullogue gaa club

Clonbullogue GAA sports Gym and equipment fit out

150,000

Clonmore Harps GAA Club

Clonmore Harps Strategic Development Phased Plan

62,128

Coolderry GAA

Upgrade Works to Community Changing Areas

25,378

Daingean GAA

Refurbishment of Dressing rooms

73,013

Edenderry GAA

Edenderry GAA LED Floodlights

140,000

Edenderry Golf Club

Install efficient environmental sprinkler system

52,598

Edenderry Town Football Club

Floodlight upgrades & training pitch development.

52,086

Gallen United FC

Gallen Utd Lighting & Pitch Development

15,922

Gracefield GAA

Construction of new flood lit walking track

12,207

Irish Parachute Club Limited

Toilets Refurbishment

59,911

Kilcormac/Killoughey GAA

KilcormacKilloughey GAA Equipment Purchase

21,836

Killeigh Community Centre Development Association

Multifunctional sports complex

149,769

Killeigh School Boys/Girls Soccer Club Company Ltd by Guarantee

Equipment to furnish 2 new playing pitches

33,664

Kinnitty GAA Club

Renovate old dressing rooms Mower, Astro Turf

80,246

Moneygall Community Hall

Community Hall Gym Upgrade

30,785

Moneygall Development Association Ltd

Moneygall Community Clubhouse

150,000

Moneygall Football Club Limited

Training Pitch, Lights and Fencing

126,961

Mucklagh Schoolboys/girls Community Soccer Club CLG

Development of Grass Pitches, Toilets & Ballstops

61,462

Offaly County Council

Basketball & Netball Courts, Tullamore Town Park

3,963

Rhode GAA

Ball stops, Spectator Fencing, Floodlight upgrade

112,197

Seir Kieran GAA Club

GAA pitch drainage and gym equipment purchase

39,845

Shinrone Development Ltd

Construction of Synthetic Grass Training Area

43,176

St Marys Secondary School Edenderry

St Mary's Secondary Sports Development Phase 2

149,190

St Rynaghs Football Club

St. Rynagh's Football Club 2020 Project

67,306

Tullamore GAA

New All-Weather Pitch, Fencing & Flood Lighting

150,000

Tullamore Golf Club

Golf Course Improvements + ancillary improvements

90,982

Tullamore Rugby Football Club

TRFC Dressing completion & Equipment Application

87,343

Tullamore Town Football Club

Retrofit Floodlights to LED & Purchase Lawnmower.

95,000