First phase of ambitious €1.5m Banteer Sportsfield project is ready for action
NOW THAT ASTR0-TURF PITCH IS FINISHED, ATTENTION WILL TURN TO STARTING WORK ON NEXT PHASE OF THE PROJECT
THE FIRST phase of an ambitious €1.5million project to develop a suite of world-class sporting facilities in the village of Banteer has been completed.
In February of last year, the Banteer Community Sportsfield Project was awarded a €1.128 million grant under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund towards the cost of what is believed to be the first community-owned, full size, multi-use astro-turf pitch in Munster.
Work began on the pitch the following June, with project committee secretary Denis Withers saying the plan was to make the facility available year-round for use by a range of different sports across Cork county, west Limerick and east Kerry.
“In particular during the wet winter months when conditions can often render more traditional grass pitches unplayable. With the weather conditions in Ireland, there is a need for these types of facilities to cater for all sports, and this facility will bring in many additional people to Banteer” said Mr Withers.
“I would like to thank IRD Duhallow, the lead grant applicant, for their work in helping to secure funding for the project,” he added.
Now that work has been completed on the astro-turf pitch, which was built over an existing secondary pitch at the sports complex, the focus will now turn to the next phase of the development.
This will incorporate a new spectator stand, changing rooms/showers, and a tea room and a community museum, with work set to commence later on this year once final approval has been secured and the tender process finalised.
“The inclusion of the museum/exhibition area for sports memorabilia will attract people to the area interested in viewing old articles, photos, videos outlining the historic achievements of the 100 years of famous Banteer Sports and preserving it for future generations,” said Mr Withers.
“This entire project will also increase domestic tourism with additional visitors to the area, which already has a park area, pitches, walks, children’s playgrounds, and the accessibility offered by the adjacent train station will help further this. It will complement these facilities and make the village more sustainable going forward,” he added.
While a Sports Capital grant of €71,000 has also been secured for the project, the committee has been working hard to make up the €300,000 needed to bring it to full completion.
“The fundraising drive has been underway since 2018, with sponsorship coming from local companies and through €100 annual ticket draws,” said Mr Withers.
He is confident that this target will be met, confidence that is not misplaced given Banteer’s long record of community development, which has seen more than €4.5 million invested in various community-focussed projects in the area over the past two decades.
This work has not gone unnoticed, with the Banteer community winning a number of prestigious regional and national awards for their endeavours.
“Banteer is justifiably seen as a model community with a proven track record in delivering large community projects, which in turn have created local employment and generated significant economic benefits for the area,” said Mr Withers.