Major fundraiser underway for county’s first athletic track
A major campaign is underway to help fund a new athletic track in the county, with a target of securing €1.5 million.
Last month, the Roscommon Community Athletics Track (RCAT) group launched a donation page for the much needed project, a new state-of-the-art 400-metre 8 lane track for the county. The track will be a “hub of excellence, where athletes of all ages and abilities can train, compete, and achieve their dreams”.
“We need your support to get our track over the line,” the group said. The track will be Roscommon’s first-ever 8-lane 400 metre, all-weather, running facility, and will be based at Lisnamult Community Sports Park.
“This safe, accessible and inclusive facility will serve clubs, schools and individuals of all ages - a vital space for health, wellbeing and athletic development in our county,” the group said. “Roscommon is one of the few counties in Ireland without a running track - it’s time for that to change.”
The campaign said that many of Roscommon’s neighbouring counties have multiple sports facilities. “Many towns with smaller populations have facilities in place or are developing them, e.g. Swinford, Ballina, Claremorris, Athenry, Craughwell, Enniscrone, and Carrick-on-Shannon. It is time for Roscommon to have this facility to offer to its inhabitants.”
The group is asking the public’s help to make the project a reality, by donating and spreading the word, and is also seeking support from local clubs, individuals, businesses, and community partners.
“Your contribution, whether through a donation, sponsorship, or fundraising collaboration, will bring us one step closer to our goal,” the group said.
“We’ve already secured €387,000 from the Sports Capital Grant - a fantastic start - but to draw down these funds we must raise matching amounts and more. Our total target is €1.5 million.”
The project is now at the tendering stage, aiming to start the initial groundworks soon. Stage 2 of the project will then move onto the development of a gravel track, with Stage 3 seeing the completion of the tartan track.
“A small group of volunteers has worked tirelessly to get to this stage, and as we enter the next phase we need all the help and support we can get,” the group said. “If you’d like to run your own fundraiser for the track, we’d love to hear from you. Our full fundraising campaign will roll out in the coming weeks.” To contact the RCAT please visit the , email rostrackdev@gmail.com, or see the Idonate page,
