Tralee sports complex closed indefinitely after roof collapse
The collapsed roof at Tralee Sports Complex on Monday. Pic: Domnick Walsh / Eye Focus LTD
TRALEE Sports Complex, the home of basketball Superleague side Garvey's Warriors, will be “closed indefinitely” after its roof collapsed amid heavy snowfall in the town.
The weight of the snow brought the roof down early on Monday morning, leaving two-time national Super League champion Warriors without a home venue.
The Complex also housed two swimming pools with tiered seating capacity for 160 people, a state-of-the-art gym, racquetball and handball courts, and the sports hall, which included a retractable seating system to accommodate 320 people. The facility also features three external Astroturf pitches.
Built in 1976, the Complex is one year shy of its 50th anniversary and boasts 350,000 visits per year.
The loss of the recently upgraded venue leaves a major question mark over the future plans of basketball club Garvey’s Tralee Warriors.
“First and foremost, there was no one hurt, thank God,” said club chairman Terry O’Brien. “The building will be gone for a while. They’re getting assessments done to see what the story is. Obviously, the hall is gone. There was a new floor put in, new bleachers put in, the scoreboard, everything was new. They’re all gone. The pool could be saved, they’re not sure.
“But they’ve told the staff now, that’s it, all gone.”
The loss of their home fortress will be a huge body blow for a Warriors side sitting third in the Men’s Super League table, with 10 wins from 15 games. They are due to host games against EJ Sligo All-Stars and Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU before the season concludes.
Warriors also field teams in the men’s and women’s national development leagues.
The club will likely have to look towards venues in Castleisland and Killarney to host their remaining games. MTU Kerry also has basketball courts but lacks seating.
“As the Warriors go forward, it raises a question mark for us and we’ll see what we can do,” said O’Brien.
“People have been very good. We’ve already had contacts from other people to see if they can assist us.
“In fairness, Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan was offering that anything we can do from Killarney for training or games, please contact us and we’ll do our best.
“We’ve already been onto the lads in Castleisland and they’ve said no problem too. But at the end of the day, the Complex is unique. All the teams who come to the Complex loved coming there for the atmosphere and the blackguarding.
“They always said their favourite trip every year was coming to Tralee. They loved the Complex.”
Other activities such as gymnastics and badminton will also be looking for a home following the collapse.
The Complex, which is owned by Tralee Town Council and Kerry Education Service, has hosted events such as the FISEC Games, international qualifiers for Olympic Games, national age group swimming championships, and international racquetball championships.
The sports hall has been the venue for Institute of Technology conferring ceremonies, the National Symphony Orchestra, and concerts, in addition to its primary use as a sporting facility.
In a brief social media announcement, the centre confirmed that it will be “closed indefinitely”.
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