Major step forward for development of Mullingar Regional Sports Centre

Funding of €7.5 million for the next stage of the development of Mullingar Regional Sports Centre. This follows a further €2 million government funding secured to progress the design and planning of the ultramodern, multi-purpose facility.

The funding, announced by Minister for Housing James Browne, is for the development at Blackhall whcih will include an eight-lane 25m swimming pool with spectator seating, a 20m teaching pool and splash pad. It will also have a 12-badminton court, three basketball courts, multi-use sports hall, gym, studios, meeting rooms and changing rooms.

Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Robert Troy, welcomed the announcement saying: “With that work now completed, this latest investment will allow us to commence the enabling works, bringing an underused site in the heart of Mullingar back into use and transforming it into an incredible community and sporting facility.”

Minister Troy went on to thank the Mullingar Pool Action Group and the Westmeath County Council. In particular Anne-Marie Corroon, “who has led the project and the successful application to the Department".

The facility will include a new swimming pool, teaching pool, sports hall, and gym. However, the total cost of this phase of the project will amount to €12M, leaving a €4.5M match funding requirement still to meet.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke also welcomed the announcement: “This is a hugely positive development for Mullingar and the wider Midlands, and a major step forward for the Blackhall Sports Complex and swimming pool project.

“The €7.5 million in Government funding will allow Westmeath County Council to progress the enabling works and public realm infrastructure needed to get the site shovel-ready. This is exactly the kind of investment that can unlock a major project of this scale.”

The Westmeath County Council has also applied for €2.6M EU Just Transition SMART funding for site rehabilitation works at Blackhall. The scheme prioritises projects that are deliverable within short periods, align with local Just Transition plans, and contribute to sustainable employment, social inclusion, and low-carbon development.

Under the Town and City Regeneration Investment Fund, €400 million has been distributed to 119 projects across every local authority in the State. The funding is aimed at projects that are already sufficiently advanced in design or planning and can begin on site by September 2027.

Westmeath has been issued €15.3 million, across the county for projects such as €7.5 million for the Athlone Riverside Cultural and Public Realm Regeneration project; €150,000 for the Athlone Tourism and Cultural Quarter and €150,000 for the Mullingar Southwestern Quadrant Regeneration Framework.

“This is a major step forward for Mullingar. I’m delighted to have played my part in getting us to this point, and I look forward to seeing work progress on a facility that will serve the people of Mullingar and the wider area for generations to come," said Minister Troy.

Minister Burke spoke of the importance of the funding for the local area: “I have consistently supported the Blackhall project at Cabinet level because I believe it can make a transformative difference to sporting, recreational and community facilities in Mullingar and across the region.

“I also want to acknowledge and thank the Mullingar Pool Action Group for their continued campaigning and commitment to seeing a new swimming pool delivered for Mullingar. Their persistence has helped keep this issue firmly on the agenda.

“There has been a lot of work behind the scenes to get to this point, and I want to acknowledge the work of Westmeath County Council and everyone who has continued to support the project.

“This funding brings us another significant step closer to delivering the modern sports and swimming facilities that Mullingar and the wider Midlands deserve,” he concluded.