World-Class Athletics Track Reopens at MTU
Today, Munster Technological University officially reopened its athletics track at the MTU Arena in Bishopstown following resurfacing works. The eight-lane running track is now up to international standard and is ready to welcome local, national and global athletes. The reopening of the track sees the return of a much-needed sports facility for athletes across Munster and has reopened in time for the 70th Cork City Sports event on the 9th of July.
The track was officially reopened by Thomas Byrne T.D., Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht. Also in attendance were CEO of Athletics Ireland, Hamish Adams; President of MTU, Professor Maggie Cusack; MTU Vice President Finance & Operations, Paul Gallagher; Chair of MTU Governing Body, Jimmy Deenihan, and President of MTU Students’ Union Cork, Richard Noonan.
Speaking at the official opening in Cork, Minister Byrne, said: “As Sport Minister, I am delighted that my Department was in a position to provide substantial funding for this wonderful athletics project, which is of regional significance. The opening of Phase 2 of the MTU project also arrives at an ideal time for all fans of athletics in Ireland, following Ireland’s historic performance at the recent European Athletics Championships in Rome, and with the Olympics and Paralympics games just around the corner, they will no doubt inspire more people to use facilities such as this. As a Government, we are determined to invest in our athletics infrastructure and the significant funding allocated to the MTU project is a further demonstration of this commitment. I want to also wish the very best to all athletics using this facility tomorrow as part of Cork City Sports International meet.”
The track reopening was carried out in partnership with Athletics Ireland. Hamish Adams, CEO of Athletics Ireland, said, “Athletes in Munster and beyond will be overjoyed to see the MTU Athletics Track reopen. The region has been lacking a high-quality athletics facility for some time now, so this state-of-the-art running track will be indispensable to them.”
The improvements to the athletics track were funded through the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’s Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, with these works marking the completion of phase 2. Phase 1 saw the completion of the MTU Sports Arena last year. Phase 3 is expected to see the development of a high-performance indoor athletics training centre, which will involve an approximate 5,000m² expansion of the MTU Arena.