Portlaoise College marked the official opening of its long-awaited astro turf pitch last week, a project that has been in development since 2018.
The new facility is the result of a collaboration between the school and Clonad GAA club, with funding provided through Sports Capital Funding.
The ceremonial ribbon-cutting was led by the school’s own sporting figures.
Theis included teachers Grainne Hyland and Roisin Phelan, both of whom play camogie for Laois, alongside Darren Maher and Matthew Whelan, who have represented Laois in hurling.
Their participation underlined the strong links between the college and local sports as well as the importance physical wellbeing has for students.
The pitch was designed by McCarthy O’Hora architects, with groundworks completed by Bergin Plant LTD, and the pitch itself laid by McSweeney Sports.
The fantastic new facility will serve the students of Portlaoise College during school hours and be available to Clonad GAA after school, further enhancing the college’s role as a community hub.
The opening ceremony was attended by parents, members of the local community, and key stakeholders.
This included Chairperson of the Board of Management Damien Bowe, local representative Willie Aird, and Joe Cunningham, Chief Executive of the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB), parents representatives Owen Reynolds and Serena Fitzpatrick as well as members of Clonad GAA.
After cutting the cake, Principal Noel Daly addressed the gathering, emphasising the importance of the partnerships that had made the project possible.
His comments were echoed by Joe Cunningham, who underscored the significance of having an all-weather pitch available, particularly in a shared facility such as Portlaoise College.
He also noted how other school amenities, such as the hall and running track, are already used extensively by the community.
The new astro turf pitch represents a major enhancement for school, providing a high-quality playing surface that can be used year-round.
This state-of-the-art facility provides enable students at break, in P.E. classes and sports teams in the school the opportunity to continue to compete for honours in the wide range of sports available in the school.
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