Cllr Kevin Meenan
Sinn Féin councillor Kevin Meenan has welcomed the news that Cuchulainn Cycling Club plan to build a new international standard cycling velodrome at the JJB facility in conjunction with Dundalk IT.
The news about the new velodrome, which will hopefully be opened by September, was announced yesterday, with Cllr Meenan describing it as a “tremendous boost” for the area.
In December Dundalk Town Council had promised a long term lease for 7.5 acres of land in Muirhevnamor Park for the Cuchulainn Cycling Park but the local cycling club’s decision to proceed with a revised plan in conjunction with the local IT means that the dream of a major centre for cycling in the area will happen sooner rather than later.
Cllr Meenan said: “This will be a tremendous boost to the area and hopefully will come to fruition earlier than originally thought when the velodrome was earmarked for Muirhevnamor
“The great news about this is that it could be completed and be up and running as early as September this year. It will be Olympic standard so the athletes will no longer have to leave the country to train, it will be right here in Dundalk, on our own doorstep.”
With 11 of Ireland’s largest cycling clubs located within 1.5 hours of Dundalk, it makes the town the ideal centre. In addition to the velodrome, the site will also accommodate a full sized BMX track and has the potential to incorporate a closed circuit cycling track around the perimeter.
“This is exciting news for Dundalk and the whole Muirhevnamor / Retail Park area,” said Cllr Meenan.
