GAA club in Offaly turn the sod for new Activity Centre

The turning of the sod to mark the start of construction of Ballycumber Activity Centre was performed by President of Ballycumber GAA Club Peadar Daly and Chairman Vincent Minnock recently

The attendance included Fr Brendan O’Sullivan P.P. Leamonaghan Parish, Frank Moran, Chairman Offaly County Council, Ann Casey, Principal St Manchan & St Ciaran’s N.S. Boher, Padraig Bracken, Director Michael Bracken and Sons, Ballina, Ballycumber, Building Contractors,together with representatives of St Manchan’s Ladies Football Club, Brosna Gaels Hurling, St Manchan Gaels underage football, Ballycumber Tidy Towns, Mens Club, BLC, The Barracks, Ballycumber Running Club, Ballycumber GAA Club and friends and neighbours.

The site for the Centre was blessed by Fr Brendan and Vincent Minnock in his address welcomed all in attendance and thanked everyone who were making a dream a reality. The organising committee of Claire Quinn, Dermot Horan Liam Hackett Vincent Minnock, Gerry Kelly and Eamonn Larkin were thanked for their work in securing funding through the fundraising walk from Croke Park to Ballycumber on the Grand Canal Greenway and the successful application for funding to Offaly Local Development Co, and borrowings from reputable financial institutions. 

The building was designed by Peter Lyons , Kenny Lyons Architects, Tullamore and engineering is in the capable hands of Alan Carolan, Drumconrath, Co Meath, will measure 48m long, 18m wide with prestressed concrete walls of 5m high with a roof and Astro turf floor. The venue which is located on a plot of land in Ballycumber GAA Clubs grounds and behind Ballycumber Community Centre will be suitable for all types of training and exercise.