Massive Boost for Athletics in North Cork as Mallow Track Planning Application Approved

Mallow Track Gets Planning Go-Ahead

Mallow

Friday February 19th 2021

Mallow AC Members

Athletics in North Cork, and Mallow in particular, received a massive boost yesterday, when planning, by Cork ETB, for a new 8 Lane Track, and ancilliary facilities, received final planning approval. Cork County Council are providing the land, and will be owners of the complex. The initial application was received on 28th February 2020, so, effectively the process took 12 months to complete.

Current grant supports prioritise applications from multi-sport and educational institutions, so the Mallow application, made by Cork ETB, 'ticked all the boxes'.

The facility will be welcomed by all clubs in the North Cork Area, and well beyond, as it is the first full sized track in the county, outside of the Mardyke and CIT tracks, both in Cork City. Travel from North Cork, to either city tracks, was problematic at the best of times - this development means that clubs might now only need, say 30 minutes, travel each way for training, whereas, until now, a trip to either of the city tracks might need considerably more time, due to traffic log-jams along the way.

Track Management

Management of the Track has yet to be finalised, however one would hope that the club might be asked to take lead role in track operation.

The progressive Mallow club has been one of the largest clubs in Cork in recent years, and has already enjoyed much success at County, Provincial and National level, so this venture will, hopefully, see the club spring further forward.

Development

The development will consist of:

(a) construction of a 98m x 63m grass pitch,

(b) provision of a 400m eight lane running track,

(d) provision of 40 car and 2 bus parking spaces,

(e) widening of Sexton’s Boreen,

(f) importation of clean, natural soil to grade the field,

(g) installation of floodlights, and

(h) diversion of water main and associated site works. The Environmental Impact Assessment Report / Natural Impact Statement will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the application.

mallow track development schematic