New athletics hub in Limerick is now officially open!

A NEW regional athletics hub has opened in Limerick.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was on hand to cut the ribbon at the facility which was developed by Limerick City and County Council.

Located in the heart of Newcastle West, the project has cost €4.2m overall.

Mr Varadkar described the new athletics hub as "an incredible facility for the community" which will "encourage many more to get involved in sport."

"Physical activity and sport should be open to everyone, no matter their age, background, or personal circumstances, so the Government has invested more than €1m in this Limerick Regional Athletics Hub," the Fine Gael leader said.

"Limerick has an outstanding sporting tradition, most recently with local athlete Sarah Lavin breaking the national 100m record in Switzerland, and I know this hub will help to produce many excellent athletes for the future," he added. 

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Mayor Gerald Mitchell als expressed his enthusiasm about the large capital project, stating: "The Limerick Regional Athletics Hub represents a remarkable investment in our community's health, well-being, and sporting excellence. We look forward to welcoming athletes of all ages and abilities to this world-class facility."

Council chief executive Dr Pat Daly said: "This project underscores our dedication to fostering a vibrant, active community. We believe that this hub will be a source of pride and inspiration for generations to come."

The Limerick Regional Athletics Hub has come to fruition following input from various bodies.

As well as council, funding has come from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media, the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage.

On top of this, Limerick's own JP McManus has put money in through his benevolent fund, as well as the ESB's community windfarm fund.

The first athletes to run on the track were Olympians Thomas Barr - who studied at University of Limerick - and Carolyn Hayes who hit the international standard athletics track.

There's also floodlights and an illuminated path, field sports facilities including dedicated areas for shot put, discus, hammer throw, javelin, long jump, high jump, and pole vault.