Over €13,000 raised to restore Castlebar tennis facility destroyed by storm

A fundraiser to restore the destroyed tennis dome in Castlebar has already raised over €13,000. 

Castlebar Tennis Club’s unique dome facility was damaged beyond repair during Storm Isha on Sunday. 

The structure, which cost €240,000 to deliver, was not insured against wind damage.

The club have now launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund the rebuilding of the dome, which was opened by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny in 2014. 

“For years, the dome has been a bustling centre for a diverse range of activities. It has welcomed schools, special needs groups, and hosted blind tennis sessions, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity,” the club wrote on their GoFundMe page. 

“Our coaching programmes, spanning local, national, and international levels, have nurtured talent and passion for tennis. The dome has also been a place of employment for many, directly impacting their livelihoods and of course lets not forget the vibrant tennis community that exists with our members.

“Moreover, we have proudly been a welcoming space for refugees arriving in Castlebar, providing them with a sense of community and normalcy during challenging times. Our facility has also been instrumental in developing exceptional tennis players, many of whom have earned scholarships worldwide and went on to compete at very high levels.”