Thomond Park sets up community sponsorship fund

THOMOND Park is worth the equivalent of 565 full-time jobs to the Limerick economy where it gives business to more than local 40 suppliers.

And now, the stadium wants to say a big thanks to local communities who have played a role in allowing Thomond Park develop into an iconic sports arena.

A community sponsorship fund has been established and will be distributed under the Thomond Park Stadium Community Programme.

The group will work with a wide range of local community groups and organisations and support a range of social, education and community projects.

John Cantwell, the stadium’s director, said the sponsorship scheme evolved from the work of its community programme.

“Since the redevelopment of the stadium, we have proactively sought to help and work with as many local community groups as possible. This has resulted in the establishment of a varied community programme that has worked with youth groups, art and culture groups, education, to organisations catering for social disadvantage and people with disabilities.

“We are mindful of the status of the stadium in addition to its social role in Limerick particularly across the local community. It is the involvement within the local community that has encouraged us to look at more sustainable ways to contributing to the area and this fund will help develop even more projects with a meaningful long term local impact.”

Munster and Ireland player Keith Earls said the new fund would help deliver a lot of key projects which are very important to the local community. “Growing up near the stadium, you appreciate what it means to the local community and the pride we take in it.”

Mr Cantwell said that management is mindful of the impact the stadium has locally.

“On an event day we employ over 800 people in a variety of operational roles. A recent independent analysis of the economic impact of the stadium conducted by Focus Consulting revealed that sports, entertainment and business events held at the stadium have contributed in excess of €132 million in value to the local economy.

“We want to ensure the local community benefits socially from the success of the stadium.”

The fund is open to all local community groups and organisations.

*Application form can be downloaded from www. thomondpark.ie