A new synthetic pitch for Castle Park and Leisureland improvement works are the biggest beneficiaries of the latest round of sports capital grants for Galway, with half a million euro winging its way to both of them.

A new rugby pitch for Kingston Park, about to be developed in Knocknacarra, has been allocated €500,000 while a new hockey pitch at Miller’s Lane is to get the next largest allocation at €387,000, which will mean Galway City clubs as well as clubs around the county will no longer have to travel to Sligo or Athlone to play their hockey games.

Overall Galway sports clubs are being granted over €16m for projects, with a sizeable number of city ones getting over €100,000.

These include €104,000 for pitch and clubhouse improvements at Castlegar GAA and €141,000 for work at Renmore soccer pitch.

The Doughishka sports community will be celebrating – grants of €128,700 have been awarded for floodlights at their pitches, with a further €145,000 to upgrade the skate park.

Rahoon Newcastle Hurling Club get €116,000 for its upgrade while Salthill Knocknacarra has €137,000 to renovate its clubhouse.

Mervue Utd gets €70,000 to resurface its three astro cages and erect a new fence.

The Westside Community Centre gets €98,000 for a new floor.

The Galway Lawn Tennis Club is to receive €116,274 for an accessible court area – last December Galway City Council refused permission for the club to replace the dome blown down in the storm. The new one would have covered six tennis courts and reached a height of over ten metres, which was deemed visually obtrusive and out of character with the area.

New toilets are now possible for several City Council-owned facilities Cluain Mhuire, Corrib Park, Laurel Park and McGraths Field, with awards of up to €70,000 going towards those vital projects.

Councillor Mike Cubbard (Ind) urged the Council to act swiftly to draw down the money and start building toilets at Laurel Park and the astro pitch and newly developed grass pitch at Corrib Park.

“Kids have had to go up and use the community centre at Westside or, if that was locked, some would run across to McDonalds — way out of sight of the pitch behind the library. It was so unsafe,” he remarked.

“We need these basic amenities to support the growing number of children engaging in sports. As participation in sports, especially among children, continues to surge, it is crucial that we provide the necessary facilities to accommodate this growth.

“The rise in girls participating in sports has been particularly noteworthy, and the addition of these toilet facilities is not just a convenience; it’s a necessity.”

Cllr Clodagh Higgins said the funding for a new regional hockey facility would be a game-changer for the sport in the city and county.

“This is set to become a central hub for both youth and adult hockey leagues in the region, hosting regional competitions, training sessions, and school programmes. It will provide young athletes with the opportunity to train and compete at a high level without the need to travel long distances, fostering local talent and boosting participation in the sport.”

Government Chief Whip Hildegarde Naughton singled out Leisureland’s maximum grant as being particularly significant. There is currently a feasibility study being completed on the 51-year-old Council-owned facility, which could include building an Olympic-size 50-metre pool and incorporating an enhanced public realm at the adjacent Salthill Park.

“This funding will benefit over 100 clubs in Galway. Active engagement in sports not only helps keep people healthy, but it also builds confidence, independence and promotes team building.

“It is crucial that we invest in sport for the overall health and wellbeing of our population and that is why this programme is so important,” she said.