GMIT has announced the purchase of the grounds of Galwegians Rugby Club on the Old Dublin Road for €8.95 million today.
The 9.75 acre Crowley Grounds site is just a minutes walk away from the GMIT campus in the city.
Galwegians RFC voted last year to sell the site to GMIT, while the club is in the process of developing a new base in the city.
The existing grounds will continue to be used by the rugby club under licence in the interim.
Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris visited the site today while in Galway, saying that this land will be an important part of developing the new Atlantic Technological University.
“I really want to welcome the purchase of this land to facilitate future expansion, which has long been an ambition for GMIT.”
“The site will now enable the new Atlantic Technological University to expand and develop facilities beside its existing Galway campus, as demand for higher education continues to rise.”
The purchase of the site was funded to the tune of €6.45 million by the Higher Education Authority.
President of GMIT Dr Orla Flynn said that this is a significant development for the Atlantic Technological University, which is due to come into being at the start of April.
“Acquiring these lands will enable a safe expansion and development of Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in Galway City for the years ahead and facilitate projected growth in student numbers.”
“ATU will have a strong footprint across the eastern side of Galway City, and we look forward to continued good relations with all our neighbouring community partners, including Galwegians RFC.”
“For now the site will continue to be used for sports purposes. As part of the sale agreement GMIT has granted a license to Galwegians to share the sports facilities with the institute for a number of years.”
“I want to pay tribute to all those who have worked tirelessly over the years to bring this process to a very satisfactory conclusion.”
