By Michelle Crean

Funding to the tune of €133,188 for Killarney Skate Park has been announced today (Friday) under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).

Locals were delighted with news of funding for their clubs including some who received quite a significant amount to help enhance their facilities.

It was part of an announcement made today that over €5.5 million in funding has been made available to 83 Kerry sports clubs and organisations under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).

Beaufort GAA Club will get €134,145 for their All Weather Surface, Killarney Rugby Football Club €123,594 to enhance their clubhouse and changing rooms, Killarney Sports & Leisure Centre will get €121,483, Muckross Rowing Club Ltd €97,715 for Participation, Equipment and 'Green' coaching, while Spa GAA Club will have €96,346 to build dressing rooms and buy verti drainer, gym ware.

Firies GAA is to receive €81,809, and Fossa GAA Club will have €78,377 funding for dressing rooms, floodlights and renewable energy.

Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra received €52,878 for replacement of gym wooden floor, Killarney Legion GAA Club can now undertake field maintenance and optimisation with an added €50,258.

Kilcummin GAA Club will be able to enhance their pitch lighting, walkway surfacing and scoreboard with €49,739 in funding.

Meanwhile Killarney Athletic AFC Girls received €45,172 for a new soccer training pitch, Gneeveguilla GAA Club can work on pitch development with €44,840, Listry GAA Club is to receive €46,050, Barraduff Community Field Org Ltd can now upgrade their walking track, LED lights, fencing and dugouts with €36,649, Dr Crokes GAA can also upgrade their facilities with the allocation of €28,806, while Killarney Celtic FC can add sports equipment and a lighting upgrade with €28,566.

Funding is provided to assist voluntary and community organisations, national governing bodies (NGBs) of sport, local authorities and Education and Training Boards and schools to develop high quality, accessible, safe, well-designed, sustainable facilities in appropriate locations and to provide appropriate equipment to help maximise participation in sport and physical recreation.

Priority funding is also made available to support the needs of disadvantaged areas and groups (such as people with disabilities) in the provision of sports facilities while enhancing and improving grounds and facilities nationwide.

WELCOME

“I’m delighted to welcome this funding which will provide vital funding for the development of local sports clubs and organisations across Kerry," Minister for Education and Kerry TD Norma Foley said.

"Throughout the past two years our nation's sports men and women both on a local and national stage lifted the spirit of the country when we need it the most. Whether that was our Olympians, rugby stars, or the heroic on field performances of our county and club teams, the return from Government investment in sport has never been tangible. On a local level this funding will also benefit participants of all levels and abilities ensuring that the health benefits associated with sports participation can be enjoyed by everyone in their local community.”

Deputy Mayor of Kerry and Cathaoirleach of Kenmare Municipal District, Fianna Fáil’s Michael Cahill also welcomed the news.

“These funds are utilised by local organisations and sports bodies to provide facilities in their localities that they see as vital and that they would otherwise find great difficulty in funding. There are state-of-the-art sports-halls, walkways, playing fields etc in parishes throughout Ireland that have been funded through the Sports Capital Grant over many years now and it has proven to be a fabulously successful scheme in providing funding for initiatives locally. I will take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers in local organisations who put in the hard work to progress these initiatives on behalf of their local areas and to Minister Jack Chambers and his Department for providing the monies from National Lottery funding.”