Work underway on multi-million euro sports facility
Work is underway on a €5 million multi- purpose sports facility in Clonmel, as the project developed by Limerick Institute of Technology in partnership with Tipperary County Council had it’s first sod turned this week.
The building contract between Limerick IT and Tony Patterson Sports Grounds Ltd was signed on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 and it hasn’t taken long for the contractor to get the project underway.
When completed, the Clonmel Sports Hub will be situated adjacent to the LIT Clonmel Digital Campus, which will soon become one of the key campuses of the Technological University. The hub will in- clude a 400-metre IAAF standard athletics track, skatepark, walkways and cycleways, playground and cycle (pump) track.
The project will also consist of the con- struction of facilities and tower buildings and associated site works, as well as floodlights for the athletics track and cycle pump track, and public lighting for all other areas.
The 1.88-hectare site for the Clonmel Sports Hub has been provided by LIT, and the project funded under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heri- tage Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF) programme. LIT and Tipper- ary County Council worked in partnership to provide matched funding for the project and to finalise the grant application.
In addition, substantial funding has been provided by local businesses SEPAM, CAMI- DA, Boston Scientific and Abbott Vascular with additional funding being pledged by Clonmel Athletic Club, Clonmel Cycling Club and Clonmel Triathlon Club.
This new sports hub, developed to inter- national sporting standards, will provide services for local clubs, schools, groups and the general public, world class facili- ties for LIT students, and ensure Clonmel has a competitive advantage in develop- ing the town as a destination and venue for regional, national and international events.
Local architects, Ken Hennessey Architects designed the project and will oversee the construction phase.