The official launch of our Facility Development Plan was scheduled to take place at Crecora GAA pitch on Sunday 25th October, but following the announcement by the Government of the move to Level 5 at mid-night on the 21st October, it looked like our planned launch would have to be postponed.
However, at very late notice the Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Councillor Michael Collins Mayor agreed to do the launch on Wednesday afternoon, 21st October at Crecora Manister GAA pitch for which both clubs are extremely appreciative and grateful.
Welcoming the launch of the Facility Development Plan, the Mayor commended both clubs for their proactive approach in working together to produce a Development Plan that would not only benefit both the GAA and Camogie Club in terms of improved sports facilities, but also the wider community.
He noted that the first phase of the development was the provision of a 750 metre Walking Track around the grounds of the GAA site, which would be available for use by all in the wider community in the Crecora and Manister areas. This would be a resource for all in the community to exercise outdoors, with the associated health benefits, which was also especially important in these current Covid times.
The Mayor also referred to both clubs sporting successes in recent times and wished both clubs every success in their endeavours both on and off the field of play in the coming years.
Pat Byrnes, Chairperson, Crecora Manister GAA and Ronan MacMahon, Chairperson Crecora Camogie welcomed all attendees and expressed their appreciation to the Mayor for facilitating the Launch at such short notice.
They also noted the fact that other representatives of both Clubs, who had played significant roles in the clubs development, should ideally also have attended at the launch but that unfortunately, Covid guidelines on the numbers allowed to attend had curtailed that possibility
They said that it was a very important day for the wider community of Crecora & Manister and explained how a joint committee was established in early 2019 between Crecora Camogie Club and Crecora Manister GAA Club with the task of reviewing facilities at the pitch and suggesting improvements to facilities.
This Launch was the culmination of that work with a Facility Development Plan now in place to invest €160k into:
• Walking Track with lighting;
• Upgrade of the surface, along with fencing and lighting around the hurling wall:
• Drainage and improvements to the training pitch;
• Provision of gym;
• Provision of dugouts.
They outlined how the GAA and Camogie Clubs saw themselves as being very much Community based clubs. In addition to providing hurling, football and camogie for all ages from under 6 up to adult level, the Clubs also promoted the Irish language and culture, including Scόr, and have co-ordinated Team Limerick Clean-up and the Goal Mile for a number of years.
The construction of a Walking Track will, they said, be of major benefit to the wider community especially at this time with Covid 19. The intention is that the Walking Track will be the first phase of the development and will be constructed in 2021 and will be available to use by all in the community.
Both Chairpersons stressed the importance of fund raising in order to deliver all elements of the Development Plan. They appealed to all local businesses and individuals to support these developments. If anyone is in a position to donate funds to assist with the €160k development costs, please contact Pat, Ronan or any member of Crecora Manister GAA or Crecora Camogie Clubs.
Photographs from the launch:
[print_gllr id=5221]
Facility Development Plan:
[print_gllr id=5229]