Running track gets funding

PLANS to develop a state of the art athletics track for Dundalk got a boost last week with the announcement that Dundalk Athletics Association have been awarded €92,500 Regional Capital Grant.

This will allow the Association to lease a nine acre site from Louth County Council and to commence fundraising for the €1.6million project. WELCOMING the news, Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick said: ‘I have been working closely with Fintan O’Reilly, Chairperson of Dundalk Athletics Association, Louth County Council and DKIT for the past three years on this project and I strongly welcome the news.’

Dundalk Athletics Association, which comprises six local running clubs, St Peters A.C, Mountpleasant A.C, Blackrock A.C, St Gerard’s A.C, Dún Dealgan A.C and the North-East Runners, have earmarked a nine acre site between JJB Sportsdome and Heinz for long awaited the track.

‘ THERE are 2,000 members in athletics clubs around Dundalk and in recent years we have seen a huge increase in people keeping fit, says Deputy Fitzpatrick.

‘IF you look at the amount of 5K and 10K runs organised locally you see just how popular athletics has become around Dundalk,’ he continued. Deputy Fitzpatrick has himself, organised the highly popular Fitzer’s 5Km run in recent years.

‘ This new athletics track should and will be available for anybody who wants to use it. Even for people who go out walking at night this will be a safe well-lit area for them to exercise. It can be dangerous out on the roads during winter and I can see a new athletics track being very popular for athletes of all levels around town.’

Fintan Reilly thanked both Deputy Fitzpatrick and Louth County Council for the support which they have shown for the project.

‘ This Capital Grant gives us the land which we are leasing from Louth County Council so we can start working on fundraising and getting in touch with corporate sponsors and philanthropists and sell the project to them so that we can get the funding we need to bring it to fruition.’

‘ There would have been no point in us doing that before now in case we weren’t successful with our application for the Capital Grant.’

The first phase of the project comprises the installation of an eight lane top quality Mondo tarten track along with changing facilities for athletes.

‘Our long term goal is to have spectator facilities as well,’ says Fintan.

He points out that Dundalk is ideally located for hosting national events, noting that DkIT has held three national cross country championships over the past three years.

‘We have a great location here, just off the motorway with good access and parking facilities.’

‘ There is a big interest in athletics in the region and this will, in time, be a top class facilitiy.’