Sports Capital Grants: €1,115,567 in funding for Westmeath
Minister of State with special responsibility for Tourism and Sport Brendan Griffin announced Sports Capital Grants this morning.
Local politicians have welcomed the allocation of €1,115,567 in funding for Westmeath.
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Sports Capital Grants 2018 (local clubs)
Bunbrosna GAA Club, ground improvements and enhancement, €19,000
Castlepollard Hurling Club, generator to power flood lights to ball wall, €6,000
Castletown Geoghegan Hurling Club, safe off-road walking track, €20,000
Cullion Hurling Club, upgrade natural and all weather pitches, €53,500
Killucan GAA, purchase of gym equipment, €12,000
Killucan Ladies Football Club, equipment, €800
Kinnegad Juniors AFC, all-weather pitch development, €66,500
Lough Lene Gaels GAA, completion of pitch development, €19,500
Midland Triathlon Club, €11,000
Mullingar Cricket Club, Refurbishment of artificial cricket practice area, €5,500
Mullingar Elite BC, strength and conditioning and boxing equipment, €14,000
Mullingar Handball Club, court upgrades, €55,000
Mullingar Shamrocks GAA Club, upgrading of facilities in Springfield, €33,000
Mullingar Sub Aqua Club Mullingar, nitrox compressor, €9,500
Mullingar Tennis and Badminton Club, refurbishment of indoor sports hall, €13,000
Multyfanham Community Centre, €16,000
Olympic Boxing Club, Mullingar, equipment, €12,000
Raharney GAA, upgrade of clubhouse and walk track, €70,000
Raharney United Football Club, defibrillator, pitch drainage, dugouts, goalposts, €5,500
Rochfortbridge Boxing Club, insulate roof, buy gym equipment and flooring, €5,000
Rosemount Cycling Club, promotion of paracycling in Rosemount Cycling Club, €4,500
Rosemount GAA, fully equipped gym, €6,500
Shandonagh GAA, pitch and sport equipment, €5,000
St Colmcille’s Sports Park Company, sand based training area and flood lighting, €14,000
St Loman’s Mullingar GAA Club, €25,500
St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge, upgrading of sports ground facilities, €32,000
St Oliver Plunkett’s Hurling Club, sports pitch improvement works to two pitches, €16,000
St Paul’s Gaelic Football Club, Clonmellon, development and upgrade of grounds, €50,000
The Downs GAA Club, floodlights, walkway lights, dugouts, €63,500
Turin Hurling Club, mower for GAA pitch, €2,000
Tyrrellspass GAA, €10,000
County Council, Grange, Mullingar, pump track, €18,500
Minotaurs American Football Club, sports equipment, €2,500
Sports Partnership, watersports equipment, €4,000
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Peter Burke, TD, said: “I am delighted to see this funding going to the places it will really make a big difference, our local sports clubs.
“I approached many local clubs when the application process was opened as I understood the funding this year was set to increase.
“I made a number of representations for many of these clubs as far back as April of and May of this year and I was glad to hear directly from my colleague Brendan Griffin yesterday that many of these have got over the line.
“This funding will benefit 50 clubs from all corners of Westmeath. Active engagement in sports not only helps keep young people healthy, but also builds confidence, independence and promotes team building.
“Many of the clubs listed are the cornerstone of their communities, and government funding to the tune of €63,000 for The Downs GAA Club, €66,500 for Kinnegad Juniors, €55,000 for Mullingar Handball Club, €70,000 for Raharney GAA and €33,000 for Mullingar Shamrocks will make a huge difference, along with slightly smaller yet substantial amounts like €16,000 for Oliver Plunkett’s Hurling Club, €16,000 for Multy Community Centre, €10,500 for Moate All Whites and €9,500 for Mullingar Sub Aqua.
“The Sports Capital Programme was re-instated by the last Fine Gael government in 2012, after it had been cut by Fianna Fáil in the wake of the economic crash. I am proud to be part of a Government who realises how important our sports clubs are in small, rural communities and provides substantial investment based on this.
“Unfortunately, a huge number of local clubs applied this year and some applications were deemed ineligible on technical issues. The process is extremely rigorous and complex and I would urge clubs who were unsuccessful this year to inquire where they lost marks, and to address these issues in time for the next round of the grant.
“I believe this money represents an excellent value for money investment. It is crucial we invest in sport and the health of our population, particularly with obesity on the rise. It is also a key time for rural Ireland, with many young people returning from abroad and involving them in local sports clubs and communities is a worthy pursuit for all involved.”