IRD Kiltimagh Ltd has scored another national first with the opening of the Adult Outdoor Gym adjacent to the beautiful Sculpture Park. The project is the first such fully dedicated facility of its type in Ireland.
Comprising 18 different pieces of top-quality equipment, the gym will ensure an extensive workout for all those who use it. It is open to the public at all times and locals and visitors to the area alike are encouraged to use it.
Speaking at the launch of the new facility, IRD chairman Mr Brian Mooney said that IRD were delighted to be at the forefront of the provision of new facilities and amenities once again. “We are the leaders in our field and we must continue to push to make our small town the best there is for the generations which will follow us.”
He said that ongoing developments in the town, including the upgrading of the town hall theatre, which is commencing this week and which will see over €450,000 being spent on the building, and the Cairn International Trade Centre, the 32,000 sq ft office building being provided at a cost of €7.3m, will see the town benefit from enhanced facilities and from further employment creation in the future.
“Almost this day last year, we opened our fully enhanced and upgraded outdoor playground. It has proven to be a tremendous success. IRD has shown that it is here for the long haul. It goes from strength to strength and it will continue to do what it does best, the enhancement of the quality of life for those who live in and visit Kiltimagh through the provision of new and additional facilities and amenities, for many, many years to come. There will be no taking the foot off the pedal, particularly now as we are in times that are not so good.”
John Maloney TD, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with responsibility for Disability and Mental Health, performed the official opening of the facility. He referred to the fact that IRD Kiltimagh had provided the inspiration for the development of his home town when the principals of Mountmellick Development Association visited Kiltimagh almost 20 years ago. “I am delighted to come here and see this outdoor gym project, which I hope will be replicated in each town and village in Ireland as we head into a situation where the financial cost of health problems associated with obesity are now second only to heart disease,” he said. “Projects like this should be promoted for the benefit of the health of all.”
Mr Mooney thanked all those involved in the provision of the facility. He particularly thanked Chris and Marion Glynn and their company, OUTFIT Ltd, for supplying the equipment. He also thanked Minister John Maloney, Senator John Carty and Deputy John O’Mahony TD for attending the opening, Mayo County Council and particularly Noel Burke for the ongoing support they give each and every project that IRD is involved in.
He also thanked the local FAS Community Employment Scheme and East Mayo Rural Social Scheme supervisors and participants for their roles in assisting different parts of the project, and Fr Paddy Kilcoyne, current Kiltimagh Person of the Year, for performing the blessing on the project. Concluding, he said that he hoped that the local community would make full use of the facility that is now available free of charge to them at all times but also asked that they would help to ensure that the project would not be abused.
