There was a great sense of anticipation mixed with fulfilment recently at the sod turning by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny on the new IT Tralee Sports Academy Building, which saw the culmination of several yeas of planning fund raising.
The €15 million facility, sheduled to open in August 2018, will be an international centre of excellence for edcuation, training and research. It will serve as the national sports centre for people with disabilities, empowering them to realise their true potential in an environment where both the equipment and expertise are specially adapted for their needs.
On completion it will be the largest capital sports project ever to be undertaken in Kerry and will become the HQ for the Health & Leisure Department of the IT Tralee, and will further cement the institutes reputation as a world class centre of excellence for physical and educational education.
Welcoming the development Dr Oliver Murphy said; “The commencement of the construction of the Kerry Sports Academy is a key component in delivering on our integrated Campus master plan. Our plan specifies our intention to construct an additional five buildings on the campus, a science and technology engineering and maths builidng, a student facilities hub, a student resiential complex, a research builiding, and an extension to the business incubation centre.”
As main contractor with it’s headquarters in Tralee, Eamon Costello (Kerry) Ltd company Director Declan Costello is keenly aware of the valuable contribution IT Tralee make to the entire South West region.
“Following successful bidding we are delighted to have been appointed as main contractor on such a prestigious project for Kerry and the South West. IT Tralee is a progressive and highly regarded educational facility with world class graduates – this investment is an endorsement of this stauts and will further strengten their position.
As a company we look forward to working collaboratively with the client, stake holders and their design team to deliver a successful project.”
