Mullingar Harriers launch huge raffle to fund new track
Mullingar Harriers AC is ready to embark on its largest investment and expansion since the establishment of the club in 1975 through the development of an all-weather, multi-lane running track at its grounds in Grange, Mullingar.
Planning, design, contracts and all other administrative elements of the project are complete, with the only hurdle remaining to clear being the current lockdown restrictions that prevents construction activity of this type.
As soon as the Government eases these restrictions, the development will commence. The project has been part funded by a Sports Capital Programme grant from the Department of Sport and other fundraising initiatives undertaken by Mullingar Harriers, although the final financial target has not yet been reached.
The local athletics club hopes to complete the final part of fundraising through a headline grabbing raffle with a grand cash first prize of €20,000. There will be second and third prizes of €2,000 and €1,000. The raffle has been supported by some local businesses who have donated another seven prizes worth up to €200 each and the club is offering two annual family memberships to the prize pot making for twelve prizes in total. The raffle is limited to 2,000 tickets, which will be available online at myrunresults.com and in some shops around Mullingar.
One of the most successful sports clubs in Westmeath, Mullingar Harriers has been awarded the Morrissey Cup for Best Juvenile Club in Cross Country in Leinster every year since it was first presented in 2001. On top of that, the Harriers have been awarded the Kennedy Cup for Best Juvenile Cross-Country Club in Ireland in four of the last five years.
The club has also witnessed Provincial and National success by the Senior and Masters teams at Road and Cross-Country Championships.
A new all-weather training facility will assist the club in achieving further successes and broaden its participation in track and field sports, including the more technical jumps and throws events. As a Regional Training Hub, the track will benefit not just the Mullingar club, but the surrounding areas and Counties by facilitating event-specific training for members of neighbouring clubs under the guidance of qualified, experienced coaches. More details are available at the club’s website, www.mullingarharriers.com.
A socially distanced sod turning ceremony was held at the club grounds last weekend to launch the fundraising raffle. Present were Sean McMullin (President), Margaret Daly (Chairperson) and Colm Walsh (Secretary) and Brian Collentine and Adam Price of ORS Consulting Engineers, Marlinstown Business Park, Mullingar and Colin Delaney of Midland Sport Surfaces, Killucan, Co. Westmeath, the contractor that will be undertaking the works.
“Mullingar Harriers is delighted that a local engineering consultancy firm was involved in the design and also delighted that a local Contractor will be carrying out the work,” said club PRO, Greg Duggan.