€7.8 to Develop a State of the Art Multi Sports Complex in Clones

EU PEACE III Funding Supports Cross Border Initiative

Monaghan Co. Council have announced this week that they have received confirmation of funding of €7.8m for a major new flagship sports facility from the European Union’s PEACE III Programme which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.  This investment in sporting infrastructure in the Clones Erne East area has been widely welcomed across the region.

This new project will be located on a fourteen acre site at Liseggerton, Clones and the new complex will accommodate a host of facilities which will enable participation in a multiplicity of sports activities.  These include a grass multi purpose pitch suitable for playing a number of field sports,  a 400m running track surrounding a 3G all weather surface playing ground, bowling green and cricket creases, recreational hall with changing pavilions and perimeter walking trail.  Other minority sports such as tennis, volleyball and boxing will also be accommodated. Each sporting facility within the complex will be built to the highest standard and will have the capacity to host regional, provincial and national competitions for the major sporting disciplines.

The project, which is expected to be completed in 2012, will provide a substantial economic boost to the Clones Erne East region and is expected to generate over €2 million per annum to the local economy in the construction phase alone.

The funding for the project has been secured following the submission of a grant  application in response to SEUPB’s open call for Expressions of Interest for the PEACE Programme’s Priority 2:1: Creating Shared Public Space.  Of the original one hundred and twenty seven Expressions of Interest submitted, the Clones Erne East Sports Project was one of the twelve projects shortlisted and is one of only two projects to be approved for funding in the southern border region.

The initiative for the project came from the local community with a number of organisations from both sides of the border coming together to form a Sports Partnership.  These included ;  Clones Community Forum, St Tiernach’s GFC, Clones Athletic Club, Clones Erne East Partnership(a Local Government partnership involving Monaghan Co Council, Fermanagh District Council and Clones Town Council), Fermanagh District Council and Clones Town Council.  Subsequently the support of Monaghan County Council was sought and they have now undertaken to act as lead partner in the delivery of the project.

 Central to the project and the core reason for the funding support from the European Union’s PEACE III Programme, is the commitment that this sports complex through its multiplicity of facilities, will be inclusive and accessible to the entire community. This inclusive participation will enable the building of contacts, alliances and relationships on a cross border, cross community basis.

According to Yvonne Newell, Vice Chairperson of the Partnership,

“The advent of Peace in this region presented both legacies and opportunities. The European Union through its financial support in the PEACE I, PEACE II and INTEREG programmes has been the catalyst for local people to re- build trust and alliances. The shared space for creating a platform through sport emerged from a long term process of listening to shared common needs but also to addressing the many perceptions we were left with after eighty odd years of partition and thirty years of violent conflict”

Welcoming the announcement of funding on behalf of the lead partner organisation, Adge King, Monaghan Co. Council and Director of Services for Clones, stated,

“Monaghan Co. Council welcomes this major investment in sports infrastructure which will assist in strengthening alliances with our neighbouring Erne East area of Fermanagh.  The Council will combine their expertise and experience of delivering large infrastructural projects with the in depth knowledge and peace building aspirations of the other key stakeholders to deliver this iconic sports facility.”

These sentiments were echoed by Thomas O’ Reilly, Chairperson of Fermanagh District Council and the Clones Erne East Partnership (a Local Government Partnership involving Monaghan Co. Council, Fermanagh District Council and Clones Town Council),

“As both a local councillor and Chairperson of Fermanagh District Council, I want to welcome this much needed investment in high quality sports provision in the Clones Erne East area.  This region has produced many talented sports men and women and with the construction of this multi sports facility many more young talented people will have the provision locally to reach their full potential.  Fermanagh see this as another great project that will help build linkages on a cross border basis, ensuring that this area develops socially and economically”

Ends

Declan Nelson, Co. Manager, Monaghan Co. Council

Adge King, Director of Services, Monaghan Co. Council,

Declan Mc Kiernan, Chairperson, Clones Erne East Sports Partnership

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