A new, full-sized AstroTurf pitch is to be developed in the east Galway village of New Inn.
The pitch will be the first of its kind in Co. Galway and will be developed by the New Inn Community Development Company.
This has been announced following the announcement of a €750,000 grant from the government’s Regional Sports Capital Fund.
This new development, a short distance from the M6, will be available for all sports and will serve a wide area across Galway and Roscommon.
The only other full-sized astro pitch in the region is near Ballyhaunis in Co Mayo.
Welcoming the news, Minister Ciaran Cannon said that the investment is not only wonderful news for New Inn, but also for the West of Ireland.
“This is a really strong commitment from our government to the development of healthy communities by providing state of the art community sports facilities that are available to all and it follows on from previous Sports Capital Grants which have supported the development of other excellent sports facilities at New Inn,” said the Galway East TD.
The €750,000 investment will also see the development of a walking circuit and a smaller Multi Use Games Area suitable for use by young children and people with special needs.
“I want to congratulate Chairman Paul Donohue, Secretary Michael Finnerty,
“Treasurer Aidan Donohue and Development Officer Padraic Kelly, the four directors of the New Inn Community Development Company who have shown real vision and ambition in seeking to develop this facility.
“I also want to thank my colleague Sports Minister Brendan Griffin, who also hails from a small rural community and understands the impact of this kind of investment in a rural region,” concluded Minister Cannon.
