Work progressing on new sports park ahead of draw

Work on developing a state-of-the-art all-weather astroturf complex in Ballinahown has been progressing steadily over the last number of weeks, and those involved expect the project to be completed in December.

The complex, located at the rear of St Colmcille’s National School on land leased from the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, will enhance the facilities available to several local clubs and the general public, and will include a 40x70m astroturf pitch and hurling wall, shock pads, a warm-up area and lighting.

Funding is being provided through LEADER, Westmeath County Council and other additional funding initiatives, with a significant portion also coming from the local community through fundraising.

Cllr John Dolan, who is a member of the committee and has been involved with the local sporting scene for many years, said that the contractors have been lucky with the weather and have been able to get a significant amount of work done over the past six weeks.

"The whole base of the complex has been installed, and we've had to re-route a part of the walking track to allow for that," he told the Westmeath Independent.

"The committee has been absolutely brilliant and there has been great buy-in from the locals as well. There has been a Zoom meeting nearly every Thursday for the past year to discuss the plans and work involved."

John also said that the facility has been needed for quite some time.

"The grounds have been quite wet in the past, and the children in the school can't really get out and play in those conditions.

“We also noticed Castledaly and Doon GAA were hiring astroturf pitches elsewhere which brought the idea for the facility forward.

"It's something that the whole community can enjoy, and it won't just be used for soccer teams. Anybody who is interested in fitness or wants to get active will be able to use it, and fitness groups will be able to access it as well."

The committee has been selling tickets for a raffle for the past several months, which has received great support.

"We're talking about €500,000 for the full project, and €300,000 of that is coming from LEADER with more from the council and other funding, so we're looking at €150,000 from our own fundraising.

"Going up to people's doors, we haven't been refused once," John said.

"They're are very excited about the facility, and we always have people coming forward offering to help. Some people have had tea parties to do their bit to fundraise which has been great.

"There are a great range of prizes in the draw, and we plan to get the different chairmen of local clubs to come down on the day and pull the tickets for the raffle.

"We're trying to keep our borrowing to a minimum so the support for the raffle so far as been really helpful."

John said that the work done so far has been completed in a collective manner.

"With the different funding we've received, the support from locals and clubs, the committee, people working in the background, sponsors, LEADER funding and council funding, it has been a real collaborative approach. It couldn't have happened without everyone that has been involved, and we're looking forward to hopefully kicking a ball on the pitch in January," he finished.

Tickets for the raffle, which takes place on Saturday, November 20, are on sale from

www.supportingballinahown.ie, with one ticket on sale for €20, or a book of six for €100.