Selection dilemma awaits councillors over sports facility funding

Thu, Feb 14, 2019

Galway city councillors face a major selection dilemma over the next few weeks when they will be asked to prioritise one of three local projects to benefit from the national Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund.

This Monday, they will hear a presentation from Connacht Rugby on its previously announced plans for the development of the Sportsground — a proposal which is well advanced and in planning. The €30m project will deliver a modern, fit for purpose rugby stadium in addition to a new high-performance training centre for Connacht Rugby while also retaining existing greyhound racing facilities.

Last Monday, councillors were told of plans to develop a state of the art aquatic centre at Cappagh Road with a 34m pool, a spacious gym and modern fitness studios. The project costing €11 million would create a major aquatic centre for the west, capable of serving several watersports, including waterpolo. It would be run by the Kingfisher group and was presented by Joe Cosgrove and Padraig Smith. It would revert to the City Council after 25 years.