South Westmeath clubs and organisations are to benefit from the most recent tranche of sports capital grants announced by government.
On a local sporting front, Athlone Town were awarded €251,674 towards dressing rooms, toilet facilities and a fitness suite, while there was also significant funding afforded to both Garrycastle and Athlone GAA clubs.
Funding totalling €220,345 was afforded to Westmeath County Council with €123,226 towards floodlighting and track works at Athlone Regional Sports Centre and €97,119 for new court carpet, new led light and internal fencing at Athlone Tennis Club.
Garrycastle GAA club will receive €149,500 towards main pitch floodlighting and gym equipment, while Athlone GAA club are the beneficiaries of €107,509, funding which will assist with pitch drainage and gym equipment.
Buccaneers RFC were awarded €96,600 towards the construction of an artificial 4G playing pitch, while Moate All Whites and Maryland GAA also received funding of approximately €115,000 towards respective projects.
Further South Westmeath clubs and organisations to benefit from the sports capital grants funding are Willow Park FC, Temple Villa FC, Caulry GAA and the Rosemount Community Committee.
Cathaoirleach welcomes funding announcement
Speaking upon the announcement, Westmeath County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Frankie Keena, noted that the funding awarded will assist local sporting clubs and organisations with public demand for such high end facilities continuing to increase.
“The sports capital grants recently announced represents the highest level of funding ever provided under this programme and clearly shows Fianna Fail’s commitment to supporting our marvellous sporting organisations.
“Anybody involved in sport at a local level knows the importance of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme to their club as it provides the necessary funding to assist clubs develop their facilities to cater for the large public demand.
“This latest funding announcement reflects the challenges facing clubs across the county and the vital role that sport plays in supporting community and individual wellbeing, a role that came into sharp focus during the pandemic.
“County Westmeath clubs and organisations received over €4 million in funding and I would also like to thank Minister Robert Troy for his support on this matter.
“In particular, I was delighted to hear that most clubs throughout Athlone and its environs received excellent grant funding and I look forward to liaising with these organisations as they conduct their relevant developments in the coming year.
“It is important to say that those applicants who were unsuccessful in receiving such grants will be given the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision with all relevant information on the appeal process to be issued in the coming weeks.
“I am glad to see that €6 million has been set aside to cover successful appeals under this process,” Cllr Keena concluded.
