UCC sports grounds gets back on track

ONE of Cork’s best-known sports grounds got back on track yesterday almost five months after it was destroyed by floods.

University College Cork (UCC) celebrated as the athletics track at its Mardyke Sports Ground – which hosts the annual Cork City Sports – was reopened while a decision is awaited about when a new track may be laid.

New sand has been installed in the long-jump sand pits and the delivery of new high jump and hurdles equipment, which were also destroyed in the November flood, is awaited.

UCC’s Office of Sport and Recreation said it hopes to reopen the synthetic pitch, which is located inside the track, next Monday.

It has been replaced with a fully water-based synthetic pitch making it one of the most modern in Ireland.

Both facilities have undergone extensive repairs and renovations since they were destroyed in the devastating November 19 flood.

The GAA pitch and the Prunty pitch re-opened for use in December but works continued on other facilities at the Mardyke.

The Mardyke Arena, which houses the swimming pool, high-performance gym, basketball courts and climbing wall, reopened in February after some €4.2 million was spent on repairs.

It is home of Cork’s Blue Demons basketball team and is available for use by all UCC’s students and to hundreds of private members.

The Office of Sport and Recreation thanked all the staff at the Mardyke, members of UCC’s Buildings and Estates Office, Seán Ahern Electrical, and all who were involved in repairs to get the sports venue back in operation.

A formal opening ceremony has been arranged for a later date.

The Office of Sport and Recreation is taking bookings for the reopened facilities on 021-4904752 or email [e-mail].