Hopes for major funding for regional sports campus the SRC

With the opening of the €120 million Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) scheme for applications on April 26, The SRC – The Shannonside Recreational Campus – committee believes that the Carrick-on- Shannon located campus is a prime project for such funding and are actively working on their application.

In 2019, Leitrim County Council purchased a site, strategically located just off the N4 providing ease of access from the greater region and beyond. Planning permission drawings have been prepared, submitted and approved and groundworks commenced in September 2023, however were delayed due to weather conditions.

A graphic of what the new SRC sports campus will look like.

The scope and plans for the SRC are far reaching and include:

• All-weather full size 4g pitch compliant for GAA, Soccer and Rugby
• Outdoor floodlit grass pitch
• 400m 8 lane tartan track with all field sports catered for
• Large Indoor Arena catering for 2 indoor basketball courts
• Hi-performance gym
• A hurling wall
• Outdoor and indoor changing facilities
• Car and bus parking

To make an such an all-inclusive, community focused recreation campus of this scale a reality, funding is crucial.

The SRC Steering Committee, made up of Design & Build, Finance and Communication sub-committees have had their work cut out for them over the 10 years and no stone has nor will be left unturned to deliver the funding required to deliver this badly needed facility to the region.

WATCH: Highlights of Patrick Kielty's first year as RTÉ Late Late Show host before final episode

The last Late Late Show of the season will air this Friday

To date, local private supporters generously funded the initial feasibility study. The Planning permission drawings and application process was Leitrim County Council grant aided,

The project build cost plan and business plan were Leitrim Development Company Funded. A successful application was submitted for a Community Forum Grant with €1 million obtained for Phase 1 (4g pitch) ground works.

An application has been submitted for Peace Plus funding and also for Sports Capital Infrastructure grant.

“As you can imagine, a project of the scale of the SRC comes with a hefty price, but the payout to the community young and old is immeasurable,” a spokesperson for the committee said.

“This year, like last year, due to incessant rain, has seen training sessions and matches for GAA, soccer and rugby postponed and cancelled as our county grass pitches have proved unplayable time and time again.

“Our underage and adult teams alike have been forced to travel to neighbouring counties to train on all-weather pitches or to pay for indoor facilities.

Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins' celebrate legendary teams of 60s & 70s - GALLERY

Picture Special: Leitrim SFC winning teams of 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972 & 1973 honoured at special event in The Island Theatre

The late 1960s and early 1970s was a golden era for the Ballinamore Seán O’Heslin’s club. Five senior championships came to Cannaboe in a seven-year period, a three in a row, then two years with narrow defeats and this was followed by another two-in a row.

On Saturday last, Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins had a memorable get-together as the surviving members of those teams came to the Island Theatre to reminisce and to celebrate a golden era for the club when five senior championships came to Cannaboe in a seven-year period, a three in a row, then two years with narrow defeats and this was followed by another two-in a row. Observer photographer Willie Donnellan was there to capture some images from the event …. see who you can spot!

“Our athletes are still travelling to Sligo and Athlone to access training facilities and the Leitrim County Track and Field Championships are being held in Sligo this month due to there not being a 400m athletics track in Leitrim.

“The need for this facility for upcoming generations, for the wellbeing of our adult and elderly communities and our clubs is needed now more than ever.

“This recent announcement of Large Scale Sports Infrastructure funding it perfectly timed for the SRC. We are primed and in the ideal place to make good use of such funding,” the spokesperson said.

The assessment of applications for the LLSIF, for funding of between €600,000 and €30 million, will take into account population size, sustainability, reducing administrative overheads and ensuring that similar access is provided to accommodate access by men and women to LSSIF-funded facilities.

Ground works have recommenced at the site on Castlecara Road, Carrick-on-Shannon

Chair of the SRC Committee, Brendan Lowe said, “It is time for us all to come together and to make this happen for ourselves and the generations to come.

“All clubs and all individuals will have the opportunity to benefit from the SRC. This campus is not for any one sport, club nor community group, it is for the benefit of all.

“We will continue to pursue ever funding opportunity that becomes available and we will be making a strong application for this additional LSSIF funding.”