STATE-OF-THE-ART SPORTS FACILITY OPENS IN CHARLEVILLE

€500,000 has already been spent on a new Sports Complex in Charleville, in phase one of a major project that will eventually run to €1.2 million and which will benefit the entire community young and old.

A 3G full-size floodlit all-weather pitch has been laid at the Charleville AFC grounds at Moatville on the Limerick road. 3G is the highest standard currently in Ireland or Europe. The pitch is of League of Ireland standard and is registered with FAI and has a FIFA 2 rating which is the highest possible. It caters for children from under 6 up to Ireland international standard and recently the Republic of Ireland under 18 team played there. Adjacent to the pitch is a smaller all- weather play area, ideal for smaller numbers and 16-a-side competitions.

Plans are in place for phase 2, which will comprise a community centre, facil-ities such as dressing rooms for phase one, a gymnasium, a crèche and a youth centre.

It has all happened under a company named Charleville Community Sports Complex Ltd which leased the site from the local soccer club and now holds a 20 year lease.

Since Charleville Com-munity Sports Complex opened its doors at the start of November it has been hectic, with a huge demand for use of the facilities. People have travelled from Cork city, counties Cork, Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and Limerick city to sample what is now on offer in Charleville.

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