New Athletics facility in Killaloe/Ballina
Derg Athletic Club has opened its new athletics facility in Clarisford Park, Killaloe.
The club have managed to deliver this project during the past twelve months despite the Covid-19 restrictions. The delivery of this €480,000 facility is the culmination of much work and planning and voluntary work by Derg AC and the Clarisford Park committee.
A 200m rubber-surfaced track has been installed with a 120m sprint straight, along with a long/triple jump area, throws area, high jump area. Also added was an outdoor gym, floodlights and a wheelchair-accessible inclusive athletics zone. Final pitch works will be completed once restrictions are lifted.
The new track has come to a reality thanks to keen fundraising efforts by Derg AC club members, the local community, Ballina/Killaloe RFC, Boru Triathlon club, as well as accessing government grants, generous donations, and unprecedented goodwill in terms of voluntary services such as project design, engineering etc…
In September 2020, the club had a shortfall of €40,000 to complete all five phases of the development. Since then, the committee raised €38,000 through successful grant applications, community donations and virtual fundraising events. Derg AC currently has a €30,000 community finance loan on the development that they hope to pay off as quickly as possible.
In the spirit of promoting health and fitness for everyone in the community, a casual park user is welcome to use the facility on the individual basis during daylight hours.
Outdoor training for juveniles has resumed after lockdown restrictions were lifted last month and a new Teen program has been set up which includes a new street workout for non-runners and those who don’t play team sports but just want to keep fit.
Adult training programmes will resume on May 10th when the last set of lifting of restrictions come into force. This will include a new ‘Spring in your Step – Get moving’ program for non-runners.
For all athletics/fitness group training sessions, membership of Derg AC applies and all training sessions should be booked by emailing booking@dergac.ie. All non Derg AC sessions should be booked on www.dergac.ie. For regular use of the facility, a goodwill donation to Derg Athletic Club would be appreciated.