A new state of the art full sized AstroTurf pitch is to be developed in the East Galway village of New Inn following the awarding of a grant of almost €1m from the government’s Regional Sports Capital Fund.
The full sized pitch will be the first of its kind in Co Galway and it will be developed by the New Inn Community Development Company which was established to develop community sports facilities adjacent to the New Inn Leisure Centre. Welcoming the news, Junior Minister Ciaran Cannon said that the investment is an indication of the government’s support for the development of healthy communities across Ireland.
“This is wonderful news not alone for New Inn, but also for the West of Ireland, where we have only one other full size AstroTurf pitch, which is located near Ballyhaunis. This New Inn development will be available for use across all sporting disciplines and will serve a wide hinterland across counties Galway and Roscommon. The site at New Inn is only a short distance from the M6 motorway and will be very accessible to all.
"This is a really strong commitment from our government to the development of healthy communities by providing state of the art community sports facilities that are available to all and it follows on from previous Sports Capital Grants which have supported the development of other excellent sports facilities at New Inn”, said Minister Cannon.
The €1m investment will also see the development of a walking circuit and a smaller Multi Use Games Area suitable for use by young children and people with special needs.
“I want to congratulate Chairman Paul Donohue, Secretary Michael Finnerty, Treasurer Aidan Donohue and Development Officer Padraic Kelly, the four directors of the New Inn Community Development Company who have shown real vision and ambition in seeking to develop this facility. I also want to thank my colleague Sports Minister Brendan Griffin, who also hails from a small rural community and understands the impact of this kind of investment in a rural region. I look forward to seeing this regional facility being opened for use within the shortest possible timeframe”, concluded Minister Cannon.
