Expansion plans at home of Tullamore Town FC lodged

Tullamore Town Football Club has submitted a planning application to Offaly County Council for the expansion of its existing facilities at Leah Victoria Park.

The planning bid lodged by the club last week includes the extension of the existing astro turf pitch with associated floodlights, the laying of a new astro turf surface on pitch two with associated floodlights, an extension of pitch three with associated floodlights and an illuminated walking track on the perimeter of the proposed development.

The club said the developments are necessary in order to "meet the needs of its members".

The planning consultants acting on behalf of Tullamore Town FC said the extension of the existing astro turf pitch with associated floodlights is required as the "current pitch is too narrow and is utilised for training purposes".

They added that the laying of a new astro turf on pitch two at Leah Victoria Park with associated floodlights is necessary as the club "does not have a full-size all-weather pitch to play games on in inclement weather".

"This will be very beneficial to the club as they can play games when other facilities are not available to them," the documents stated. The club has also requested the extension of pitch three with associated floodlights at the grounds, as the "existing pitch is undersized" and "cannot be used in the winter for training as it has no floodlights". "The club are seeking to widen the pitch and install floodlights so its junior teams can utilise it during the winter," the planning consultants added.

As part of the planning submission, the club has proposed the development of an illuminated walking track along the perimeter "so parents of club members and guests can avail of a safe environment for walking/jogging during the club’s operational hours".

The proposed walking track "represents a significant step forward in promoting healthier lifestyles through sport and community engagement," the documents stated. The club relocated from Terry Adams Park in Puttaghaun to its current base in the Axis Business Park, on the outskirts of Tullamore, in 2007. Tullamore Town caters for underage teams in the Midlands Schoolboys/Girls League, while the club's men's and women's senior teams compete in the Leinster Senior League and Combined Counties Football League respectively.

A decision on the planning application, which was received by Offaly County Council on July 9, is expected on or before September 2.