West Waterford AC’s Track Dream Revealed

West Waterford Athletics Club (WWAC) is exploring the potential of developing an athletics track in Dungarvan. To that end, the club established a Track Development Subcommittee last April to further this long-held ambition.

Inspired by Ireland’s Olympic heroics, the subcommittee is currently identifying a suitable site for the development of an eight-lane athletics track, in addition to an associated field events space and club house facilities.

According to Club Chairperson Tom Leahy: “Our ambition is to create the new home of athletics and running in Dungarvan and West Waterford. In doing this, all members of athletic clubs in the West Waterford region, both juveniles and adults, will have an inclusive, universally accessible and safe place to train, offering high quality facilities and social opportunities.

“At present, the nearest track to Dungarvan is 45 kilometres away in Waterford City where there is no availability for evening sessions. Between athletics and triathlon, there are eight clubs in the West Waterford region with a combined membership which now exceeds 1000 so there is clearly a need for a fully-fitted athletics track in the region.”

The athletics track developed by West Limerick AC in Newcastle West (population: 7,000) which opened in 2023. Dungarvan and its environs has a population of over 30,000.

The subcommittee consists of Cáit Verling, Tara Ní Reachtagáin, Martin Lavan, Brian Byrne, Dermot Gough and Pádraig Healy. And given that the club recently reached an all-time high membership of 457, the need for a purpose-built track/training hub couldn’t be clearer.  

WWAC’s promotion of physical activity and wellbeing had been its core function since 1994.

Each winter, over 300 participants take to the streets of Dungarvan for its ever-popular Winter League while the John Treacy 10 Mile Road Race and Greenway Half Marathon draws over 4,000 people into the locality.

The club has always sought to give something back to its community as well, as evidenced by the near €20,000 it donated to a range of charities in 2023 alone. WWAC has also benefited hugely from the support of the public, businesses, community facilities along with Waterford City & County Council.

Tom Leahy added: “We are very grateful for all the support we have received over the past 30 years. In this special anniversary year, we now find ourselves embarking on our greatest venture. And once again, we’re calling on the support of the public and local stakeholders alike to help us deliver this game-changing facility.”

If you would like to support the development of this track facility or if are interested in supporting this project in any way, please contact any of the Track Development subcommittee members or email wwactrackdevelopment@gmail.com