Knockbeg College have unveiled fundraising plans for their brand new multi-pitch playing facility.
Speaking to LaoisToday, principal John Maye explained how the new two-pitch development will cost around €500,000.
As it stands, Knockbeg currently play all of their football and hurling matches away from their grounds in venues like Graiguecullen, Killeshin and SETU Carlow – but this is set to change.
Work on lands opposite to where their current pitches are began back in October – and it is hoped the project will be fully complete in 2027.
Principal Maye said: “That field was used before by Knockbeg as a football pitch.
“In 1912 a St Enda’s Team, under Padraig Pearse’s management, played against Knockbeg in that field. Sources indicate Knockbeg won that day though.”
As well as two pitches, the project also includes a 120-metre sprinting track and a hill that can also be used for training.
In partnership with Penturf Contractors, work began on the 13-acre site in October with the first layer of topsoil cleared off.
The company will return in February to level the ground and insert the relevant drainage system.
Principal Maye explained how the school intend to pay for the project themselves without Department of Education or grant supports.
He said: “In February, we will launch official plans for how we will raise the half a million required but essentially it will be a three-pronged approach.
“The first stream is a corporate package. We will be looking for one off donations from businesses or organisations with a connection or interest in Knockbeg.
“The second one will be community led. This one will go out to every past pupil, member of staff, parent and supporter.
“We are asking them to make a one-off contribution or look at setting up a direct debit for one or two years.
“If we were lucky enough to get 100 people to do that, that would equal a sizeable chunk of our overall target.
“And then the final part of the puzzle will be an event that we plan to hold here on the May Bank Holiday weekend.”
This is the traditional Parent’s Day in the Knockbeg College calendar and there are big plans in place.
Maye said: “First of all, we plan on having a sponsored 5km walk where all of our current students will be asked to fill sponsorship cards.
“And then we plan on having an All-Stars match. We are not sure on the exact composition of that.
“But you could have something like the current senior team against a selection of past pupils.
“We’d invite back the likes of Ross Munnelly, Colm Begley, Donie Kingston, David Conway, Donie Brennan etc.
“And perhaps some of our current staff like Killian Roche, Liam Knowles, Jane Moore and Chris Conway would throw on their boots as well.”
A full schedule of fundraising events will be officially confirmed in February.
SEE ALSO – Mountmellick and Ballinakill receive €644k in funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme
