WATCH: Sod turned on site for development of Roscommon’s first athletics track
Anthony Doolan, pictured alongside members of the local community and surrounding areas ahead of the sod being turned on the new state of the art running track in Lisnamult.
There was a large crowd in attendance as the sod was turned on the Roscommon Community Athletics Track, which will be based in Lisnamult Community Sports Park.
The new state-of-the-art 400-metre, eight lane all weather track, together with a full sized community soccer pitch in the infield, was celebrated this afternoon as the Roscommon Community Athletics Track (RCAT) Development Committee held a launch to showcase their plans.
The committee have a target of raising €1.5 million in funding, for the community facility.
Chairman Paul McNamara told those in attendance at the Lisnamult Community Sports Park that the athletics track is for people of all ages and an investment in the future of not just Lisnamult but the county of Roscommon.
“Athletics can be referred to as the queen of sports. It is a collection of sports, sprints, jumps, throws, endurance. It is a sport for everybody from five, six and seven year olds to people in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Masters athletics has been hugely instrumental in keeping people involved in our sport.
“Roscommon is one of the very few counties in Ireland that does not have an athletics track. I think Leitrim and Longford are close to breaking grounds on their own tracks. Roscommon is lagging behind a little bit and this project is very much about changing that."
Anthony Doolan, who has spent much of his life striving to continuously improve the facilities within Lisnamult, hailed the building of this track as a seminal moment in the area’s history.
“This is a great day for Lisnamult. I always say Lisnamult is the Croke Park of Roscommon and it will be please god when this facility is built.
“This is for the community. It is for Roscommon town and the surrounding areas. That is the way we want to keep it. There are no owners.
“I hope and pray this project takes off and I want everyone in Roscommon to get behind it and the hard working committee."
Jackie McCormack, Chairperson of Roscommon Community Sports Partnership stated that this facility represents inclusivity and community spirit.
“We want to provide a home for every sporting code, for both genders and for all ages. In that claim I wear two hats today. As well as being involved in this facility, I am deeply ingrained in the Roscommon Special Olympics. Our partnership is the crown jewel of this inclusivity.
“By building this track, we aren’t just adding a lane for runners. We are providing a world class stage where every athlete, regardless of ability can find their finish line.
“The wonderful attraction of this facility is its inclusivity. We all have to use a bathroom Imagine a wonderful, state of the art, world class facilities that we will have here and then imagine not being able to use the facility because you do not have access to a bathroom. This is the jewel in our crown.
“There is absolutely no dignity if you have to be placed on a floor to change. Unfortunately this is the reality for people who do not have access to specifically adapted bathrooms. Our bathrooms will have the ultimate power of making our facilities open to all. We are ready to break ground. We are proud of what is behind us but we must be relentless with what is ahead.”
Jenny Brennan, Treasurer of Roscommon Athletics Club gave a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in building this facility.
Ms. Brennan also thanked the local community for their support to date as she expressed her hope that the people of Lisnamult and the surrounding areas would continue to support their fundraising initiatives.
“Every single contribution has played a huge part in getting us to this point and we are extremely grateful for getting us to that support. While today marks the turning of the sod and the official launch of construction, it also marks the transition in to the next phase of funding for us.
“There is still significant work ahead of us but it is finally becoming a reality because of the support of everyone in this room and the wider community.”
To enter the RCAT Development Committee's Win a Garden Room/Win a Kitchen fundraiser, please click here.
To donate towards the building of this facility, please click here.
