Saturday launch for Westmeath GAA's Columb Barracks project
This Saturday, November 16 will be an historic day for Westmeath GAA, with the first official public opening of the Performance Centre facilities at Columb Barracks since the County Board obtained usage of the facilities in August.
Work is progressing well at the former home of the 4 Field Artillery Regiment, and the Open Day is the first opportunity for Westmeath clubs, supporters and the general public to see first-hand the work carried out since Westmeath GAA gained full access to the facility.
The closure of Columb Barracks in March 2012 was a sad occasion for the people of Mullingar, as the institution was a central part of town and county life since 1815.
Following its closure, the barracks and its substantial grounds lay idle, with little interest shown as to what use could be made with the facility.
In August, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter, confirmed the signing of a one-year lease with Westmeath GAA County Board for the use of part of the former military barracks in Mullingar.
On foot of this agreement, Columb Barracks will be used as a centre of excellence for the development of Gaelic games in the county.
The facilities available to Westmeath GAA include playing fields – which comprise three full-size pitches – significant gym facilities, handball alleys and use of storage facilities on-site. This marks the beginning of a new era for the barracks through association with Westmeath GAA.
The programme of events will commence at 1pm, with people directed to the main canteen area, where tea will be served until 1.30pm.
A walking tour of the facility will then commence at 1.30pm, which will last for approximately one hour, taking in the playing pitches, handball alleys, weights room and gym facilities. There will be a mini-games display involving Castletown and Delvin National Schools, which will be taken in en-route through the tour at the lawn area. Also, the Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar school team, along with squad members from the county football and hurling panel, will be using the weights room and gym to showcase the facility’s potential.
The tour finishes at 2.30pm, and light refreshments, courtesy of the Annebrook House Hotel, will be served at the canteen area, after which County Board chairman Sean Sheridan will make an address outlining the future plans for the facility. The event will end at 3.15pm approximately.
“Westmeath GAA is very excited about this new departure, which mean that all units of the organisation will have access to modern, fully equipped facilities which will help with the preparation of county and club teams in a centralised location,” County Board PRO, Aidan Walsh said this week.
“The Westmeath GAA Performance Centre is the start of a new era for all units of our association and indeed sees the revitalisation of the facilities at the barracks which was feared to be lost to the people of Westmeath following its closure in 2012.”
The sub-committee in charge of overseeing the development of Columb Barracks comprises Tom Carr, Frank Mescall, Noel Delaney, Olive Leonard, Sean Brady, Sean Finnegan, Geraldine Giles, Sean Sheridan.