New running track update
THE new athletics track for Dundalk will be located at the Muirhevnamor park, councillors heard at the monthly meeting of the Dundalk Municipal Committee.
The meeting heard that in late 2017, a regional grant of €92,500 was awarded towards the installation of the new athletics facility, featuring an eight lane running track and associated facilities such as those for long jump etc.
Senior Executive Officer, John Lawrence, said that the funding had been secured, and that the running track will be installed at Muirhevnamor Park. He told members that a detailed design will be put together over the next few months.
The track will be a public facility, owned and operated by Louth County Council,’ said Mr. Lawrence.
But he added that it will also be used by the various athletics and running groups in the town, groups who had come together to work on the bid for the track.
It was also envisaged that it would be used by schools to allow children to develop and enjoy taking part in athletics and running.
Cllr. Marianne Butler welcomed the plans for the track, saying that Dundalk needed a dedicated athletics facility, as the nearest was at Bush Post Primary.
She said that councillors had also agreed to an application for a ‘Velodrome’ cycling facility, and asked if there was an update on this.
Mr. Lawrence told the meeting that there were no immediate plans for a velodrome as funding was not available.
Cllr. Butler asked if was an ‘either or’ scenario in terms of a running track OR velodrome, and was told that was the situation at present.
Cllr. Maria Doyle also welcomed the announce- ment, saying that St. Gerard’s running club and all of the clubs in town will be ‘delighted’.
Cllr. Ruairi O’Murchu queried what the detailed design stage would involve, and how long it would take before the first runners might be able to take to the track.
The Senior Executive Officer added that phase one involves planning for the installation and securing it.
Cllr. Mark Dearey also welcomed the news, adding ‘ the most impressive aspects of this is that it will be a public facility run by the council.’
But he said that it would be a great regret for the council if plans for a velodrome were abandoned.
Director of Service, Catherine Duff, said that it was judged that it was ‘not a reasonable expectation’ that a velodrome would be built.
But Cllr. Peter Savage added that there was a very active cycling club in Dundalk, and that ‘with a bit of help and assistance the velodrome could be a realistic goal.’
He asked if the grass track could be replaced at a later stage, and added that spectator facilities would also be important at the new track, particularly if competitions are going to be held.
John Lawrence said the grass surface would be the ‘first stage’ of creating a regional, national and international athletics facility.’
Chairman, Cllr. Conor Keelan also welcomed the announcement, saying that he was especially glad to hear that the plans were being supported by local running clubs.
Cllr. Savage said that all of the sporting facilities should be looked at, adding his view that Dundalk Cricket Club should be recalled from the current base in Dromiskin, as it was ‘not a natural home for the club.’