Almost €3.3 million is to be invested in sports organisations and facilities in communities throughout Galway under the Sports Capital Programme, local Fine Gael TD Hildegarde Naughton has announced.
The funding will be shared among more than 110 clubs and organisations from across the county.
Successful applicants for the funding include Galway Rowing Club, which has been allocated €31,500 for an upgrade of training facilities and equipment; and Cregmore-Claregalway FC, whose facilities will now benefit from a €41,643 investment by the Department for pitch, training ground, and changing area development.
Deputy Naughton, who worked closely with these and other successful organisations in preparing and promoting their applications, welcomed the allocations under what she said was a very competitive process.
“This is an extremely important scheme that seeks to develop sport and recreation facilities in villages, towns, and cities throughout the country. It enhances communities both socially and in terms of infrastructure, as well as improving facilities for our current and future sports stars,” said the Galway West TD.
“I am very pleased to have worked closely with a number of excellent clubs and organisations in Galway in relation to their applications and proposals, and I am grateful to Minister of State Brendan Griffin for favourably considering my representations in that regard.”
Deputy Naughton said that the level of demand and the huge volume of applications for grants under the scheme meant that everyone’s expectations could not be met.
“The amount of funding that was applied for was a large multiple of the amount that the Department had available, so it was always going to be the case that were would be clubs and organisations left disappointed on this occasion,” she said.
“There were also a considerable number of applications that were deemed invalid by the Department, as they did not meet the strict criteria that are applied in the course of the process. These could not be considered for funding this year, but there will be other opportunities in the near future.”
Among the successful applicants was Maree Community Development Company, whose community centre is used by a large number of local sports clubs for GAA, soccer, athletics, fitness classes, badminton, basketball, and yoga. It will receive €18,000 under the scheme.
Cregmore-Claregalway FC, which has around 400 members from the age of six upwards, was allocated a total of €41,643; while Galway Rowing Club has been approved for a grant of €31,500. Galway City Sailing Club, which was has grown to some 100 members since it was set up in 2011, has been granted €17,500 for the replacement of equipment and the provision of five dinghy boats and a safety boat.
Other recipients include Annaghdown GAA club, which will recieve €32,000 for the enhancement of its outdoor training facility, and Carnmore GAA Hurling Club, with €64,500 for the development of an astroturf pitch, wall ball, and walkway.
Deputy Naughton also revealed that €80,000 would be provided to Galway City Council for the development of Corrib Park soccer pitch, as well as €73,000 for the construction of a hockey pitch at Millar’s Lane. Maree Basketball Club will receive €2,500 for equipment purchase and wheelchair access at its facilities. Corrib Rugby Football Club has been allocated €53,000 for floodlighting and pitch maintenance equipment.
