Upgraded Munster Technological University Athletics Track Officially Re-opened
- Published on: 8 July 2024
- Last updated on: 8 July 2024
Upgraded Munster Technological University Athletics Track Officially Re-opened
• Minister Thomas Byrne officially re-opens athletics track at Cork Campus which received over €14,300,000 in State funding under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund
• Phase 1 of the development included a new MTU gymnasium and basketball arena - these works were completed in August 2023
• Phase 2 officially opens today – an upgrade to the Athletics track bringing it to international grade
• Phase 3 currently in planning stage includes construction of a new High-Performance Indoor Athletics Centre
Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Thomas Byrne T.D., Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, have welcomed the upgrade of the athletics track at the Munster Technological University (MTU) Cork Campus today, July 8th 2024.
Significant support for this athletics project, totalling €14,319,830, has been provided by the Department under its Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). This LSSIF-backed project consists of upgrading the running track to bring it to an international grade and will also include the future development of a ‘High Performance Indoor Athletics Centre’, which is a proposed extension to the existing MTU Sports Arena.
This High Performance Centre will include a large multi-event zone incorporating a sprint track and elite training laboratories, as well as facilities for events such as the high jump, pole vault, long jump and triple jump.
Minister Catherine Martin commented:
“This MTU-Athletics Ireland project, along with last year’s opening of the Limerick Regional Athletics Hub, has been funded by my Department’s LSSIF Fund. It represents another milestone for improving facilities for athletes of all ages and abilities in the region”. Under the first round of the LSSIF, a total of €24,019,701 has been allocated to athletics-related projects. I want to also extend my gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this project a reality.”
Speaking at the official opening in Cork, Minister Byrne, said:
“As Minister of State for Sport, I am delighted that my Department was in a position to provide substantial funding for this wonderful athletics project, which is of regional significance. The opening of Phase 2 of this MTU project also arrives at an ideal time for all fans of athletics in Ireland, following Ireland’s recent historic performance at the European Athletics Championships in Rome. And with the Olympics and Paralympics games just around the corner, no doubt inspire more people will be inspired to use facilities such as this. As a Government, we are determined to invest in our athletics infrastructure, and the significant funding allocated to this MTU project is a further demonstration of this commitment. I want to also wish the very best to all athletes using this facility tomorrow, as part of Cork City Sports International meet”.
Editor’s Notes
Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF);
LSSIF 2018:
The National Sports Policy, published in 2018, provided for a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of this fund is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports projects and facilities where the required Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP). €124 million was awarded to 33 different proposals under this first round.
New Round: LSSIF 2024
Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Thomas Byrne T.D., Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, announced funding of up to €120m under the second round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), which opened for applications on the 26th of April 2024.
Assessment of applications, for funding of between €600,000 and €30m, will take into account population size, sustainability, and ensuring that similar access is provided to accommodate access by men and women to LSSIF-funded facilities. Applications closed on July 1st.