Time to bring international events back to Waterford Regional Sports Centre

Pictured are John Deasy, TD, and Cllr. Jim D'arcy, Mayor, with Kelly Proper who trains regularly at Waterford RSC. John Power Photography

John Deasy, TD, met with City Mayor, Cllr. Jim D'Arcy, and a number of representatives from Waterford athletics clubs at the RSC track recently, where the very poor surface condition was highlighted. John Deasy has made representation to a number of relevant government departments, seeking funding to upgrade the track. Jim D'Arcy says that Waterford City Council, for its part, has done as much as it can to ensure that the track is improved. He says that a new MONDO track needs to be installed to bring the RSC to international athletics standards.

The RSC plays a huge role in athletics, both locally and regionally and Waterford City Council's grant application to the Sports Capital Programme is receiving support from John Foley, CEO of Athletics Ireland, Fintan Walsh, County Athletic PRO and Brid Golden, Secretary and Head Coach of Ferrybank Athletic Club.

All those concerned point to the fact that there is currently unprecedented use of the facility at the RSC. Large numbers of people are becoming interested in walking and running as a means to becoming fit, as evidenced by the recent success of the Waterford Viking Marathon. Waterford is also currently enjoying huge success at elite level in athletics. The current state of the track is potentially dangerous, with the result that serious athletes are being forced to travel all over Ireland to get top class competition, as neither the Munster nor the National body will allocate fixtures to the RSC.