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By Sean Moriarty

The Killarney Micro Track project will start construction in June thanks to the final piece of local Government funding being granted this week.

Local councillor Niall Kelleher confirmed to the Killarney Advertiser on Wednesday that the project will receive €25,000 from Kerry County Council’s Strategic Sports Fund.

However, project coordinators are still short €100,000 and are calling on the people and businesses of Killarney to row in behind them and help get it over the line.

Coordinators have confirmed that the tendering process is now complete, a contractor has been appointed and that work on the site will start on June 24.

“The government funding is now complete so we are going to have to borrow the final €100,000,” coordinator Jerry Griffin said. “One of the problems we faced with people is that they never knew if this was going to be built or not. Now that we have the tendering process complete they will be able to see real progress. This project will benefit everyone in town, there are roughly 12,500 people in Killarney and if everyone gave a tenner we are there, if they only gave a fiver we are half-way there. That is why we are pushing with local fundraising and a GoFundMe page, for one final push.”

The micro track, also known South and East Kerry Community Rural Track project will be located at St Brendan’s College, and will benefit up to 2,000 students from nearby schools, athletic clubs, paralympic athletes, Special Olympics athletes and community groups.

Supporters of the project can be seen around Killarney every Monday and Wednesday night. The walking group is aiming to walk 1,000kms over a series of short walks to raise funds and awareness.

Mr Griffin praised the efforts of local politicians like Kerry TD and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin, Cllr John Sheahan and Cllr Niall Kelleher for their help in securing funds for the track.

The GoFundMe page can be found online by searching for GoFundme: Killarney Micro Track.