A new era for squash as local club plans Athlone facility

Athlone Squash Club has submitted ambitious plans for a new, state of the art Midlands Regional Squash Centre.

The club, which was founded in 2019, has submitted a planning application for a new squash centre, which follows on from a feasibility study carried out by MMA Architects, funded by Leader and supported by Westmeath County Council.

The project seeks the establishment of a new facility located within the Athlone Regional Sports Centre (RSC) complex.

The planning application states that the new squash facility will include three indoor squash courts, changing facilities, equipment storage areas, toilets and changing facilities for disabled persons and other ancillary facilities. In addition, an outdoor padel court is proposed as part of the development.

Athlone Tennis Club has already embarked on the building of a new facility adjacent to the Athlone RSC, and now the squash club plans could lead to a further enhancement of the sporting facilities in the area.

Athlone Squash Club chairperson Noel Mannion said: “Athlone Squash Club has been delighted by the growing demand in the community for this fast-paced sport. Players often have to travel to Dublin or Galway for training and competitions – the proposed state of the art facility will keep squash closer to home and establish the Midlands as a new regional capital for the sport.

“In addition, an increasing number of young Irish squash players are competing abroad and winning scholarships to top American universities. We want to make sure that players from the Midlands have that same opportunity,” Noel continued.

The sport of padel is a cross between squash and tennis in that it involves a net, but there is a back wall on both sides. It’s not as strenuous as squash and is suited to people who may feel their level of fitness is not sufficient for squash. It’s also much easier to play padel in doubles format than in squash which means it’s a more social game.

Noel said MMA Architects have been “very supportive” towards the project, adding that they have created “an excellent design”. The proposed facility will be focused on supporting the growing interest in squash in the region, with a special emphasis on youth.

Beginning with three state of the art, glass-backed courts, the new facility will support hundreds of players with an option to expand if demand requires.

The project has been part funded under the Rural Development Programme, 2014 to 2020.

The Athlone Squash Club committee have expressed gratitude to Westmeath Community Development and Westmeath County Council for providing “great support and guidance from the very beginning of this project”.

“Westmeath County Council has shown great foresight in zoning these lands for development of a unique sporting campus to serve the Midlands, and we believe the proposed squash facility will form a key part of this regional campus. There is still a way to go to make this a reality but we are very excited to explore this opportunity with our community partners,” said Noel.

The facilities of what was Athlone Rugby Football Club (before Buccaneers RFC came into existence) included a squash court and it was a popular sport in the area for a number of years.

Although Athlone Squash Club was founded three years ago, there is currently no place in the vicinity of the town to play squash.

In order to provide squash playing opportunities, the club has linked up with Clara Sports & Leisure Centre and the club organised tournaments in Clara last winter and spring. The club recently started another tournament for the autumn/winter period.

Noel Mannion is joined on the Athlone Squash Club committee by Aidan O’Driscoll, who is vice-chairperson and competitions secretary. Among the others involved are Martin Geary (treasurer), James Naughton and Gareth Jones.

Noel and Aidan point to Athlone’s growing population and the scale of housing development planned for the town as factors in attempting to get the project off the ground.

“People don’t really see squash. It’s sort of hidden away in dark halls. We want to revive the sport in the Athlone area and make it more visible,” Noel told the Westmeath Independent.

“If people retain a decent level of fitness, it’s a sport that they can play into their 70s,” said Aidan.

They also feel young people who play other sports would enjoy squash in the winter, pointing out that it improves things like hand eye coordination which would be beneficial to those playing other sports.

If anyone has any questions or an interest in getting involved, they are asked to contact Athlone Squash Club at athlone.squash@gmail.com or James Naughton at 085 174 3285.