€3.2 million funding to upgrade Clare GAA Centre of Excellence

CLARE Fine Gael General Election candidate Leonora Carey has welcomed the allocation of €3.2 million from the Government’s Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) to enable the integration of GAA, camogie and ladies football activities at the Clare GAA Centre of Excellence at Caherlohan near Tulla.

“With the total cost amounting to €4.9 million, Clare GAA will have to supplement the LSSIF funding with more than €1.7 from its own resources to transform the existing facility and safeguard the future of Gaelic games in the county,” Ms Carey explained.

“The refurbished centre of excellence will include a gym to accommodate full panel training; a new 1,350 capacity spectator stand; video analysis room; multi-purpose space for meetings, exercise classes, social and community use. 

“The plans also envisage the construction of a new hurling ball wall with synthetic surface apron, along with floodlights for two pitches, a machinery shed, equipment store and a dedicated area to be used as a farmers/local market.

“Ancillary site works will include resurfacing the car parking areas, internal pitch enclosure fencing, ball-stop netting, walkways, public allotments, wildflower meadows, sensory garden and bee-keeping areas.

“This project will completely transform the Caherlohan centre from one which is poorly presented, unfit for purpose and unable to meet the needs of existing users, into a high quality, accessible sporting venue that will facilitate sports participation at recreational and competitive levels,” Ms Carey declared.