Sports facilities opened in Ennis

A newly refurbished gymnasium at Active Ennis Leisure Complex and a 3G all-weather playing pitch at Active Ennis John O’Sullivan Park, Lees Road have been officially opened today (Friday, 2 February 2018) by Mayor of Clare Councillor Tom McNamara.

The upgraded facilities are funded by Clare County Council and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport under the Sports Capital Programme.

The €150,000 refurbishment of the gym at Active Ennis Leisure Complex involves the provision of new resistance machines with four wheelchair accessible machines, a full upgrade of the cardiovascular machine, the addition of two BH Fitness duke power bikes, and the addition of a power rack, hack squat and squat rack in the weight areas. The Highfield Road complex also includes a sauna, steam room, aerobics hall and meeting room, as well as a 25-metre swimming pool which underwent a €192,000 upgrade in late 2016.

Meanwhile, a 3G playing pitch that is fully compliant to GAA, FIFA and IRFU specifications has been developed at Active Ennis John O’Sullivan Park, Lees Road.  The €500,000 upgrade of the all-weather pitch complements a range of other facilities at Lees Road including four conventional playing pitches, a skateboard park, active trail, athletics track, cross-country running track, woodland walking trails, community orchard and playground.

Councillor Tom McNamara, Mayor of Clare, said, “I am delighted to see that considerable time and effort continues to be invested in ensuring the range of top class sports and leisure amenities available throughout Clare meet the recreational needs of the wider public as well as meet the highest quality standards.”

Councillor Paul Murphy, Mayor of Ennis, commented, “These developments are as much an investment in the health of the local community as they are an investment in the local recreational infrastructure. I hope they will lead to increased participation levels in sport and recreation in Ennis and the wider county.”

Councillor Gerry Flynn, Chair of the Social Development SPC, stated, “Clare County Council and its Elected Members have a central role to play in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle for all citizens of County Clare and the better use of existing and new sports and recreation facilities. These new developments are a positive step towards achieving these objectives and I look forward to further investment in our recreational infrastructure in the future.”

Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, said the new developments at Lees Road and the Leisure Complex complement the investments made by Clare County Council, supported by the Government, in both facilities during recent years.

“Clare County Council, working closely with community groups and sports organisations throughout the County, is committed to delivering on its strategic approach to the provision and improvement of sports and recreational facilities such as those developed at our Active Ennis locations,” he added.

Tim Forde, Head of Sports & Recreation, Clare County Council, commented, “These developments are indicators of Clare County Council’s ongoing commitment to ensuring Clare becomes the hub of sports and recreation in the Mid West Region, through investment, cooperation and leadership. We are already preparing further projects into 2018 and 2019. We will shortly have a new Fartlek Interval Training System installed in the Lees Road Facility as well as three Mountain Trikes (outdoor wheelchair units) available to users, two in Lees Road and one in Kilrush Sports Complex.”

“Sport Capital Funding was awarded at the end of 2017 to complete dressing rooms & storage in both Tim Smythe Park, Ennis & Kilrush Sports Complex.  All this, and the roll out of the ‘Atlantic Youth Project’, a 3 year European funded education pilot programme to introduce local students to Maritime Industry & Recreation as a career choice.  Working with our four European Partners, France, Portugal, Spain and the U.K., this promises to be a landmark program nationally and internationally,” concluded Mr. Forde.

Liam Conneally, Director of Social Development, Clare County Council, stated, “Clare County Council is committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of all citizens of the County and beyond, now and into the future.”

Page last reviewed: 02/02/18

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