Clare TD Joe Carey has warmly praised the “incredible” efforts of local fundraisers who helped to make the new €215,000 track at the West Clare Sports and Fitness Club a reality.
Olympian Thomas Barr was on hand to formally open the five lane 120-metre track this morning during a low-key affair owing to the pandemic.
Deputy Carey has lobbied extensively behind-the-scenes within government on behalf of the West Clare Sports and Fitness club, which benefited from State support through the Sports Capital Grant and the Clár Programme.
The Clarecastle-based TD said: “The volunteers behind this fantastic facility for West Clare have overcome every hurdle to make this great project a reality. They have done a huge amount of novelty fundraising drives in recent years and have also benefited from the Sports Capital Grant and, more recently, the Clár Programme.
“This facility in West Clare is a tremendous asset and has become a centre of excellence through the incredible efforts of everybody involved with the club. I commend the efforts of Dermot Galvin, Joe Garry and all the committee of the West Clare Sports and Fitness Club for their hard work in bringing this project to fruition.”
The new running track compliments the cross-country course at the West Clare Sports and Fitness that has been operational for the past number of years. A looped section of the cross-country track is now floodlit, which has opened it up to year-round use.
Deputy Carey added: “This facility in the heart of West Clare and offers track and field competitors a wonderful chance to develop their skills while also offering the wider community a chance to enjoy a leisurely walk in safe surroundings away from traffic.”
