Council in support of West Waterford Athletics Club running track development
A number of proposed sporting developments were discussed by Waterford Council engineers this week, including the proposed West Waterford Athletics Club (WWAC) running track development.
WWAC is currently exploring the potential of developing an athletics track in Dungarvan and the club established a Track Development Subcommittee last April, to further this long-held ambition.
The subcommittee is currently identifying a suitable site for the development of an eight-lane athletics track, in addition to an associated field events space and clubhouse facilities.
According to Club Chairperson Tom Leahy: “Our ambition is to create the new home of athletics and running in Dungarvan and West Waterford. In doing this, all members of athletic clubs in the West Waterford region, both juveniles and adults, will have an inclusive, universally accessible and safe place to train, offering high quality facilities and social opportunities.
Local Councillors expressed their strong support for the club's development this week. Cllr Thomas Phelan commented: “We should give all the support we can give them and it's much welcome. They’re one of the most active athletics clubs in the country so the more we can do the better."
Waterford Council Director of Services, Ivan Grimes outlined that he met with the development subcommittee, saying: “I indicated to them that the Council would be supportive of them”
A swimming pool for Dungarvan is a long requested facility. The National Swimming Strategy was launched last week, prompting Councillors to further push for the development.
Cllr Phelan said: “I’d like us to request funding under that new strategy for a swimming activator role to be in place in Waterford. The strategy also refers to a pilot between swim Ireland and local authorities for an overground swimming pool. I’d like to see if we can be part of that pilot if at all possible.”
Councillors supported sending a member of the Council to the upcoming Sport & Leisure Facilities Conference in Dublin to ‘champion’ the cause for a pool in Dungarvan.
Also discussed was the Fáilte Ireland Waterford Activity Centre, currently being developed in Ardmore.
It was revealed at the meeting that the Ardmore centre is progressing and the final design documents are currently being prepared. The development is due to be tendered in the coming weeks, with a contractor due to be on site by October or November. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the 2025, June bank holiday weekend.
