CLONES will benefit from a €7.3 million funding boost in the form of a state-of-the-art sports complex, the Post can confirm.

Clones Erne East Sports Partnership along with lead partner Monaghan County Council were “absolutely delighted” when awarded the Interegg Peace III funding yesterday, 6 February. Josephine said the one hundred per cent funding was their dream come true. “Clones was allowed to decline so far that we need something big to revive it.”

Resulting from a combined five year effort from the Clones Community Forum, St. Tiernach’s GFC and Clones Athletics Club, the partnership plan to develop a state of the art facility at Millbrook, Clones. The 14 acre site will include an all weather pitch surrounded by a 400m running track, a new GAA pitch with provision for a future covered stand, a changing pavilion and parking facilities. The main building will contain 8 changing rooms, a gymnasium, large function room, kitchen, conference room, reception area and offices.

Described as a visionary project, the facility will cater for the sporting and recreational needs of the town. “It is central to the regeneration of the Clones that we have facilities that will attract people to the town. Clones needs projects on this scale to kick start its recovery from the decline it suffered,” Ms Treanor added.

The complex suffered setbacks when refused previous funding opportunities, but this did not deter the determined group. “Every community project of this scale suffers setbacks and that is part of the road to success. It was important that we rose from this and continued towards our goal,” Ms Treanor said. A local fundraising draw had also raised over €90,000 for the project in December last.

The PEACE III Programme funding allocations have been determined based on reconciliation and creating a shared society. With a European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) allocation of €225 million and match funding from the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, the PEACE III Programme is worth almost €333 million.