MTU track reopens just in time for Cork City Sports

A Cork university reopened its state-of-the-art athletics track at an official ceremony yesterday morning.

Following resurfacing works that were “years in the making”, according to Munster Technological University president Maggie Cusack, the track at the MTU Arena in Bishopstown now boasts eight lanes that are up to an international standard.

The reopening of the track saw the return of a much-needed sports facility for athletes across Munster and has reopened in time for the 70th Cork City Sports event taking place today.

The works were funded through the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media’s Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), with this reopening marking the completion of phase 2 of the MTU athletics expansion project.

Phase 1 of the project saw the completion of the MTU Sports Arena last year, with Phase 3 expected to see the development of a high-performance indoor athletics training centre, to be completed by 2026.

The entire project has received over €14m in funding, with up to €1m used to refurbish the track.

The amenity was officially reopened by Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education, and the Gaeltacht Thomas Byrne, with Cork’s own Olympics-bound athlete, Phil Healy, also in attendance.

'SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT'

Speaking to The Echo, Ms Healy said: “It’s super to have the track reopening, especially for the 8,000 athletes that it serves in Cork.

“It means so much to me to have a track back in Cork. I’ll have that flexibility of being able to train here again.

“The track feels unreal. I can’t wait to use it over the next few weeks before I go to Paris,” she added.

Mr Byrne said: “I think it’s great to see a world-class athletics track here in MTU. I am delighted that the Government has funded this, it was a significant investment.

“We have seen a huge interest in athletics, and we can really look forward to some fantastic athletic events in future years.”

The track reopening was carried out in partnership between MTU and Athletics Ireland.

Athletics Ireland chief executive Hamish Adams said: “It’s a very special day. “It’s been a tough few years to get here, but it’s great to be here now.

“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,” said Mr Adams

Ms Cusack said: “Following a number of delays, including record bad weather, it’s wonderful to see the track reopen.

“This is a very special day for athletics in general but also for MTU and the wider community.”