Sports Capital Programme funding of €30million has been made available to sports clubs and associations in order to develop sports infrastructure around the country. It is expected that the online application process will be open from January 23 to February 24, 2017.
The programme funds: natural grass sports pitches, tracks and courts (including pitch drainage ); floodlighting; artificial sports pitches, tracks, courts and multi-use games areas; security fencing, ball stop netting and goal posts; hurling walls/handball alleys; the building or refurbishment of dressing rooms, showers, and toilets; the building or refurbishment of sports halls and gyms; equipment including lawnmowers and defibrillators; any other capital projects that are clearly sporting in nature and that will increase participation in sport or improve performance. Anything set in the ground (goal posts ) is not considered equipment.
Longford-Westmeath Deputy, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, is urging sports clubs in the constituency to take the time over Christmas to register their interest and get ready to make their application in the new year, and commended Minister Ross for the initiative.
“I would like to applaud Minister Ross for showing a genuine concern and support for grassroots sports in this country," he said. "I know that from his visits to Longford-Westmeath that he is very keen on developing sports infrastructure and making sure that our people have top class facilities to train and play in.”
Deputy Moran added that the application system is being made more user-friendly to reduce the high number of ineligible applications received in previous rounds. The guide to making an application is expected to be published on the website this week.
For more information or to register your club or organisation visit www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie YouTube videos will also be available at on the website to assist those making the application on behalf of their club.
