County Clare’s first synthetic running track has been officially opened at the Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park in Ennis.
The Mayors of Ennis and Clare today opened the 400m metre track, which is complemented by an athletic field capable of hosting a range of track and field events. The new 900k euro facility is jointly funded by Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council. A 600k euro Sports Capital grant was provided by the Department of Arts, Sports & Tourism.
Today’s ceremony also included the officially opening of a newly upgraded cross country running track and a car park with a capacity for 228 parking spaces, including 8 disabled spaces.
The Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park, which is located on a site of approximately 134 acres of woodland at Drumcliffe, comprises four conventional playing pitches, a floodlit all-weather pitch, a cross country running track, woodland amenity walks and Clare’s first specifically designed and purpose built Skateboard Park.
Mayor of Clare Councillor Madeleine Taylor Quinn said the provision of the synthetic running track enhanced the County’s sports and recreational infrastructure. She noted that new facility was in line with the objectives of the recently launched ‘County Clare Recreation & Sport Strategy 2009-2011’ - the first of its kind to be developed in the County.
“One of the primary objectives of the strategy is to achieve universal access to recreation and sports activities through the promotion and development of new and existing multi-purpose community facilities. I have no doubt that the people of County Clare will benefit greatly from what is now one of the most comprehensive and state of the art sports and amenity complexes in Ireland,” commented Mayor Taylor Quinn.
The Mayor continued, “I want to congratulate everyone associated with the project especially the main contractors Thornton’s and Michael Boland. Both the car park and the running track have been completed to a high standard and quality of finish. I would like also to wish all athletic clubs and other sporting associations using the facilities every success and many years of enjoyment.”
Mayor of Ennis Councillor Peter Considine stated that the new facilities added another dimension to the attractiveness and public appeal of the Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park. Mayor Considine said that every effort should now be made to attract regional and national athletics events to Lees Road.
He explained, “John Treacy, CEO of the Irish Sports Council and Olympic silver medallist was very impressed by the running track when he visited Less Road last month. He rightly said that the managers of Lees Road should not limit their ambitions for the sports complex hosting local events only.”
The Mayor also noted that there was significant potential for the further development of Lees Road and expansion of the range of leisure facilities available. “One of the many ways in which we can further develop Lees Road is to introduce passive water-based activities. The Sports and Amenity Park is located very close to Ballyalla Lake and there is scope to link the two sites in the future,” he concluded.
The Mayors of Ennis and Clare today opened the 400m metre track, which is complemented by an athletic field capable of hosting a range of track and field events. The new 900k euro facility is jointly funded by Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council. A 600k euro Sports Capital grant was provided by the Department of Arts, Sports & Tourism.
Today’s ceremony also included the officially opening of a newly upgraded cross country running track and a car park with a capacity for 228 parking spaces, including 8 disabled spaces.
The Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park, which is located on a site of approximately 134 acres of woodland at Drumcliffe, comprises four conventional playing pitches, a floodlit all-weather pitch, a cross country running track, woodland amenity walks and Clare’s first specifically designed and purpose built Skateboard Park.
Mayor of Clare Councillor Madeleine Taylor Quinn said the provision of the synthetic running track enhanced the County’s sports and recreational infrastructure. She noted that new facility was in line with the objectives of the recently launched ‘County Clare Recreation & Sport Strategy 2009-2011’ - the first of its kind to be developed in the County.
“One of the primary objectives of the strategy is to achieve universal access to recreation and sports activities through the promotion and development of new and existing multi-purpose community facilities. I have no doubt that the people of County Clare will benefit greatly from what is now one of the most comprehensive and state of the art sports and amenity complexes in Ireland,” commented Mayor Taylor Quinn.
The Mayor continued, “I want to congratulate everyone associated with the project especially the main contractors Thornton’s and Michael Boland. Both the car park and the running track have been completed to a high standard and quality of finish. I would like also to wish all athletic clubs and other sporting associations using the facilities every success and many years of enjoyment.”
Mayor of Ennis Councillor Peter Considine stated that the new facilities added another dimension to the attractiveness and public appeal of the Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park. Mayor Considine said that every effort should now be made to attract regional and national athletics events to Lees Road.
He explained, “John Treacy, CEO of the Irish Sports Council and Olympic silver medallist was very impressed by the running track when he visited Less Road last month. He rightly said that the managers of Lees Road should not limit their ambitions for the sports complex hosting local events only.”
The Mayor also noted that there was significant potential for the further development of Lees Road and expansion of the range of leisure facilities available. “One of the many ways in which we can further develop Lees Road is to introduce passive water-based activities. The Sports and Amenity Park is located very close to Ballyalla Lake and there is scope to link the two sites in the future,” he concluded.
