This morning’s bright blue skies and sunshine were a fitting setting for the ‘Turning of the Sod’ at Dunboyne AC. This marks the first phase of capital works which will see the development of a competition level tartan track. The first phase will be completed by early November, and phase two will commence and be completed by autumn 2016.
Outside of the Club have received significant assistance from members of the local community, as well as local public representatives across the political spectrum, in order to gain support and financing for the first of two phases of this development.
Some of these were in attendance this morning to celebrate the commencement of the works – we thank everyone who attended at such short notice. We look forward to working with you all to help ensure a speedy conclusion to the project, bringing a state of the art facility to Dunboyne for the benefit of club members, local schoolchildren and a multitude of other community groups. We hope Dunboyne will be at the forefront of athletics nationwide as our young athletes reap the benefits in the coming years of this fantastic facility.
The Club had the foresight a number of years ago to plan ahead for the replacement of the current cinder track, laid in the 1980’s, which has reached a condition whereby renewal of the surface was necessary. Club members have worked tirelessly over the past 18 months in particular in order to set in place plans, both in terms of civil works and financing, which will see a state of the art facility in place in the community, only the second of its kind in Co. Meath.
Dunboyne AC has seen massive growth in its membership over the past few years. At the end of 2014 it had over 800 members, making it the 3rd largest athletics club in the country. Its reach extends far beyond the parish boundaries towards Blanchardstown, Ashbourne, Kilcock and Maynooth. Such a volume and diversity of athletes, both in terms of interest and ability, means a state of the art facility is required in order to meet membership requirements.
The development plan, which has already, gained significant momentum, is to have two floodlit tracks (grass and tartan), incorporating the current throwing facility, as well as a new Long, Triple and High Jump, Pole Vault, and Javelin area. The project will incorporate the two current championship standard throwing circles.
The Club would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have worked tirelessly and have made contributions in order to make this project possible.
