Westport AC turn sod on new tartan running track 

The turning of the sod on Westport AC’s new tartan running track marked the start of a new dawn for one of Mayo’s biggest athletics clubs. 

Boasting a fast-growing juvenile and adult membership of over 500, the club is in the process of building a 320-metre running track at the Westport Sport Complex in the heart of Westport town. This will see the current grit track - which is not suitable for sprinting - transformed into a six-lane tartan track, with seven 100-meter sprint lanes.

WATCH: Live from historic turning of the sod for Mayo athletics

When opened, the facility will be available for booking from various local sporting and community groups. 

The project will cost €350,000 approximately and has received €174,411 from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’s Sports Capital programme. Local county councillors contributed €20,000, while approximately €160,000 was raised locally for the project through fundraising and sponsorship. 

In the past two years, Westport AC have carried out several upgrades to their facilities. This includes a covered recreational area, a new jong jump run, a new kitchenette, new toilet facilities and a wheelchair-accessible ramp and a viewing area.

The facility forms part of the Westport Sports Complex, which Westport AC shares with Westport Squash Club and Westport United. 

The athletics club recently hosted over 160 participants in the Westport Community Games as well as track and field trials for the local Rice College and Sacred Heart secondary schools. 

The sod turning for the new tartan track was performed by Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD in the presence of Westport AC officials and local elected representatives.

Lisa Clarken, Chairperson of Westport AC’s Development Committee, said she expected the tartan track to be laid before the start of the new athletics season in September. 

Local contractors Michael O’Malley Tarmacadam Ltd have been appointed to construct the track, which consists of a rubberized, all-weather, synthetic surface made of polyurethane.

For more information and updates on the project, you can follow Westport AC on social media or visit their website www.westportac.ie. 

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Photo caption: Patrick O’Donovan Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media of Ireland was on hand to officially ‘turning the sod’ for the commencement of the new tartan track development at Westport Athletic Club’s track at the Sportpark Westport. In attendance were Keira Keogh TD, Cormac Langan, Lisa Clarken, Tom McLoughlin, Michael Ring, Cllr Chris Maxwell, Alan Dillon TD, Cllr John O’Malley, Niall Quinn, Pat Staunton and Mairéad Kelly.