New sports centre for Galway

GALWAY’S NEW “freeman” John Killeen has provided a new watersports centre for the city, which will house a number of clubs and organisations.

Sea scouts, Claddagh hooker enthusiasts, divers and kayakers will be among the groups invited to use the new centre, which is being provided by Mr Killeen’s company at a nominal rent.

Outgoing city mayor Declan McDonnell (Ind) confirmed the development at the weekend, when he marked the closure of the Around Ireland powerboat race in Galway, which was won by German entry Cinzano Biancodriven by Markus Hendricks.

The new centre will be based in the new Galway Harbour enterprise park, close to the new harbour slipway that was built specifically for the Volvo Ocean Race in 2009.

It will provide offices, changing rooms and storage – but specifically no bar or social facilities.

Mr Killeen, who is a keen sailor and managing director of Cold Chon Ltd, was recently made the 26th freeman of Galway, joining a group that includes former SDLP leader John Hume and Druid Theatre artistic director Garry Hynes.

His company has already provided support for Pearse Stadium in Galway, and Galwegians Rugby. The Galway Ocean Watersports Club will open in late 2010.

More than 100 boats and 600 sailors from Ireland and Britain will compete in one of the largest events on the Dublin Bay sailing calendar this year. Royal St George Yacht Club is hosting the SF Marina Ireland Squibs National Sailing Championships from June 18th to 25th.