Coláiste Chiaráin and St Joseph's FC launch fundraiser for shared astroturf

By Rebekah O'Reilly

A landmark partnership between Coláiste Chiaráin and St Joseph's FC has reached a significant milestone following the granting of planning permission for a new full-size 3G all-weather soccer pitch at the school's Crannagh campus.

Roscommon County Council granted final planning approval on Tuesday, June 16, for the development, which includes floodlighting, ball retention fencing and associated infrastructure.

The project is being described as one of the most significant developments in the 25-year history of St Joseph's FC and represents a major investment in sporting facilities for Athlone West.

The development is made possible through a long-term lease of lands from the Diocese and will provide a shared facility for the school, the football club, local primary schools and the wider community.

Under the agreement, Coláiste Chiaráin will use the pitch during school hours for PE classes and extracurricular activities, while St Joseph's FC will have access during evenings, weekends, school holidays and after-school hours for training and competitive fixtures.

To help fund the project, the school and football club have launched a major fundraising campaign, with proceeds going directly towards the construction of the new facility.

The fundraiser, which runs until December 19, offers supporters the chance to win a Mercedes-Benz GLA 180d Progressive Line Plus.

Tickets cost €50 and are available online at www.tinyurl.com/CCAwinacar, with the winner to be announced on Saturday, December 19.

Coláiste Chiaráin principal Brendan Waldron said the development reflected the school's commitment to its students.

"This development builds on our commitment to providing outstanding facilities that support the holistic development of our students. The partnership with St. Joseph's F.C. reflects our belief in the power of sport to promote wellbeing, inclusion, and community connection. We are excited to see this project move forward and encourage the public to support the fundraiser," he said.

Mr Waldron added that the project would maximise use of the facilities, and the use of Sports Capital Grants and other streams of funding for the benefit of the wider community.

"It's a shared access model for badly needed facilities in our area. The demand for sporting facilities far exceeds what we have in Monksland, Bealnamulla, and Summerhill. The real beauty of it is that it's innovative, not many clubs and schools do it, but it's about maximising usage beyond the 166 school days. We're very lucky we have fantastic facilities here in the school already, with parking and lighting infrastructure that makes it very safe for young people.

Now 28 years in existence, St Joseph's FC currently caters for almost 500 players across 28 teams but does not have its own permanent home ground.

Club officials say the lack of a dedicated facility has resulted in significant annual rental costs across four separate training venues.

"We're outgrowing the space where we are at the moment," said Chairperson Davy Cummins. "We can't take any more players because we just don't have the space.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for us, we're excited about it. I think the future of the club is bright. This partnership is something that will lead to our security into the future as well."

The new pitch is expected to provide the club with a permanent base while also giving a total of 1,050 Coláiste Chiaráin students year-round access to a high-quality all-weather playing surface.

The facility is also expected to be made available for local primary schools and community initiatives.

Speaking about the project, St Joseph's FC representative Olly McGrath described it as "a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a true centre of excellence for sport and community engagement."

"We are deeply grateful to the Diocese of Elphin and Bishop Kevin for making these lands available and to Coláiste Chiaráin for embracing this partnership. The fundraising campaign gives everyone a chance to be part of this transformative project, and to win an incredible Mercedes in the process," he said.

"We all know Monksland is the fastest growing region in county Roscommon, and this facility will benefit [the county] as a whole, and the younger generations to follow. I can't forget to say, we're coming home, because Summerhill Football Club started here. So it's unique and it's a privilege to be here."

The planning permission for the project includes a number of conditions designed to protect neighbouring residential amenity.

Operating hours will be restricted to between 7am and 10pm on weekdays and 9am to 9pm at weekends, while the floodlighting system will be designed to minimise glare and light spill.