Castlepollard Hurling Club set for renewal

Castlepollard Hurling Club have received a LEADER grant to the value of €323,000 for the development of a two-storey extension which will include changing rooms, referee room, outdoor toilets, meeting room and training space. The development is due to begin in the coming months.

Established in 1903, Castlepollard Hurling Club is managed by a voluntary committee who oversee the clubs’ activities. This development will support future growth of the club, by engaging new members, including juveniles and adult members', particularly female members, for whom no facilities currently exist. It will also provide additional meeting and training space which will be available to the community and local voluntary groups.

With approximately 300 members, Castlepollard Hurling club and its surrounding hinterland will gain a much needed community and recreational facility which is vital for rural communities to flourish and survive.

Michael Macken, Chairperson of Castlepollard Hurling Club, commented,

"This is a really big opportunity for the Club, there has been no development in Castlepollard for a large number of years and this is placing us on a new path for the future with big opportunities to grow. In particular it is offering the female members of our community a chance to participate and have proper changing and shower facilities that we haven’t been able to offer them up until this.  We are so thankful for LEADER funding support and Westmeath Community Development staff who helped us make our grant application”.

Frank Murtagh, CEO of Westmeath Community Development added,

“Castlepollard Hurling Club is a vital community group in the heart of rural Westmeath. The voluntary committee have worked tirelessly to secure the grant and we wish them every success for the future, we can’t wait to see the new facilities when completed’".

LEADER is a community led approach to local development. It supports initiatives that seek to address locally identified needs and challenges. This project has been supported by Westmeath Local Community Development Committee under the Rural Development (LEADER) Programme 2014–2020.

For more information on LEADER grants please contact the LEADER section of Westmeath Community Development on 044 93 48571 / email: leader@westcd.ie

Above:The redevelopment of Castlepollard Hurling Club will bring vital new facilities to the local community.