We finally forced Coillte and the council to greenlight the National Mountain Bike Centre. They tried to drag their feet for years but our pressure made them cave. The bikes will roll in Coolaney because we refused to accept their delay.
March 20, 2016
Final supporters
Here in Sligo we have
been working very hard since 2012 to make this National Mountain Bike Centre a
reality. What we need from you is to talk about this amazing project with as
many influential people, politicians and businesses as possible. This has got to
be on the tip of their tongue when they talk of sport and tourism in
Ireland. The island of Ireland is going to be a top destination for
mountain biking and tourists will flock to our shores to experience an amazing authentic offering.
Thank you for your
support it really has spurred us on and thanks to your recent feedback we have
launched this petition. So please show your support here by signing our
petition and forward this to as many family, friends and contacts as you can.
Spread the word and we will make this a reality.
More info:
Our Steering Group consists of.........
-Daithi deForge and Martin Ruane – Coillte
-Dorothy Clarke, Michael Carty and Ray O’Grady – Sligo County Council
-Councillor Dara Mulvey
-Bryan Conlon – Northwest MTB Club
-Kyle Malee – Coolaney Community Development Company and Northwest MTB Club
-Gavin Laws and Damien McGuinn – Coolaney Community Development Company
In June 2012 Coillte supported by Failte Ireland launched their Off Road
Cycling Strategy. In this document, Coolaney, Co Sligo was identified as a
potential National Mountain Biking Center. We subsequently established the
above mentioned ‘Steering Group’. We now have a Feasibility Study and Corridor
Evaluation (sponsored by LEADER and local businesses) which advises that there
is a fantastic facility in the Northwest suitable for 76kms of 100% pure single
track mountain biking trails and 3.5kms fire road. At this scale the park would
be a multi-day destination for families and MTB enthusiasts, with massive
economic benefits for the region (projected at 2.2m pa). Located 35 minutes
from Knock Airport and on the Wild Atlantic Way, it is well regarded as being a
perfect fit for the Northwest’s existing recreational attractions - surfing,
walking, equestrian etc.
Other comparable sites attract 50,000+ visitors pa (Ballyhoura, Ticknoc,
Rostrevor etc) and based on 76kms of single track this would be the largest and
most attractive offering in Ireland. Our site will have access to the top of
the mountain with sensational views overlooking the Atlantic, Easkey,
Ballisodare Bay, Strandhill, Knocknarea and Benbulben. It will have enormous
economic and commercial benefits for the region, attracting visitors to the
Northwest from the UK and Europe.
We are now at the funding stage for the overall facility with 5.4m required to
turn this into a reality. We are looking at various funding streams i.e.
INTERREG and Cross Border. Sligo County Council have engaged a funding
consultant to navigate the various European funding options. Ultimately, we
believe it will be primarily funded via capital funding from the Government.
To date we have presented our Feasibility study to the following:
-North West Regional Assembly
-MEP Mairead McGunness
-John Perry TD
-Senator Susan O’Keeffe
-Minister Paschal Donohoe
-Sligo Council Members
-Sligo LEADER Partnership
-Eva Dearie, Failte Ireland
-Sligo Tourism
-Western Development Commission
-Enterprise Ireland
-Senator Marion Harkin
-Minister Michael Ring
-Western Development Commission
-Tony McLaughlin TD
All of the above have had a positive view of the project, see the benefits and are actively lobbying for funds. We have a business plan and an economic feasibility study completed and will be presenting same to Minister Paschal Donohoe and Minister Michael Ring in the coming weeks.
Coillte are offering us this amazing facility and have been incredibly generous and supportive in helping us drive this forward. We have to grab this opportunity and turn it into a reality.
Thank you for your support and please help us to spread the word!
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
April 17, 2015
431 Comments
Now based in Mayo but lived in Limerick and seen the positive effect Ballyhoura has had. Used to hit the trails at least once a week across the whole year. Best a luck with this lads. Great bit of work already completed and a massive addition to the north west.
Country badly needs projects like this. Along with surfing it would turn Sligo into a sort of mini Irish adventure capital. Quality gravity trails (see bike park Wales) would ensure regular bikers keep coming back. Best of luck with it.
Great Tourism initative for Co Sligo should support and compliment the development of the cycle way the development .. Those not fit for the mountain biking can take the cycle way while the mountain bikers enjoy the heights.. Well done to all involved
As a parent of 2 children we are always looking at ways to encourage them to get outside and enjoy themselves. What could be better than a facility like this? We have many friends overseas who would be delighted to come for a visit Sligo with this as their number one activity.
The emploent potential of this MTB park is huge and every single job is required in South Sligo. Add the MTB park to the proposed Sligo Greenway and this region could become the cycling capital of Ireland !!!!!
Would be brilliant to have this facility.
Jarlath Blair
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
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We finally forced Coillte and the council to greenlight the National Mountain Bike Centre. They tried to drag their feet for years but our pressure made them cave. The bikes will roll in Coolaney because we refused to accept their delay.
March 20, 2016
Final supporters
Here in Sligo we have
been working very hard since 2012 to make this National Mountain Bike Centre a
reality. What we need from you is to talk about this amazing project with as
many influential people, politicians and businesses as possible. This has got to
be on the tip of their tongue when they talk of sport and tourism in
Ireland. The island of Ireland is going to be a top destination for
mountain biking and tourists will flock to our shores to experience an amazing authentic offering.
Thank you for your
support it really has spurred us on and thanks to your recent feedback we have
launched this petition. So please show your support here by signing our
petition and forward this to as many family, friends and contacts as you can.
Spread the word and we will make this a reality.
More info:
Our Steering Group consists of.........
-Daithi deForge and Martin Ruane – Coillte
-Dorothy Clarke, Michael Carty and Ray O’Grady – Sligo County Council
-Councillor Dara Mulvey
-Bryan Conlon – Northwest MTB Club
-Kyle Malee – Coolaney Community Development Company and Northwest MTB Club
-Gavin Laws and Damien McGuinn – Coolaney Community Development Company
In June 2012 Coillte supported by Failte Ireland launched their Off Road
Cycling Strategy. In this document, Coolaney, Co Sligo was identified as a
potential National Mountain Biking Center. We subsequently established the
above mentioned ‘Steering Group’. We now have a Feasibility Study and Corridor
Evaluation (sponsored by LEADER and local businesses) which advises that there
is a fantastic facility in the Northwest suitable for 76kms of 100% pure single
track mountain biking trails and 3.5kms fire road. At this scale the park would
be a multi-day destination for families and MTB enthusiasts, with massive
economic benefits for the region (projected at 2.2m pa). Located 35 minutes
from Knock Airport and on the Wild Atlantic Way, it is well regarded as being a
perfect fit for the Northwest’s existing recreational attractions - surfing,
walking, equestrian etc.
Other comparable sites attract 50,000+ visitors pa (Ballyhoura, Ticknoc,
Rostrevor etc) and based on 76kms of single track this would be the largest and
most attractive offering in Ireland. Our site will have access to the top of
the mountain with sensational views overlooking the Atlantic, Easkey,
Ballisodare Bay, Strandhill, Knocknarea and Benbulben. It will have enormous
economic and commercial benefits for the region, attracting visitors to the
Northwest from the UK and Europe.
We are now at the funding stage for the overall facility with 5.4m required to
turn this into a reality. We are looking at various funding streams i.e.
INTERREG and Cross Border. Sligo County Council have engaged a funding
consultant to navigate the various European funding options. Ultimately, we
believe it will be primarily funded via capital funding from the Government.
To date we have presented our Feasibility study to the following:
-North West Regional Assembly
-MEP Mairead McGunness
-John Perry TD
-Senator Susan O’Keeffe
-Minister Paschal Donohoe
-Sligo Council Members
-Sligo LEADER Partnership
-Eva Dearie, Failte Ireland
-Sligo Tourism
-Western Development Commission
-Enterprise Ireland
-Senator Marion Harkin
-Minister Michael Ring
-Western Development Commission
-Tony McLaughlin TD
All of the above have had a positive view of the project, see the benefits and are actively lobbying for funds. We have a business plan and an economic feasibility study completed and will be presenting same to Minister Paschal Donohoe and Minister Michael Ring in the coming weeks.
Coillte are offering us this amazing facility and have been incredibly generous and supportive in helping us drive this forward. We have to grab this opportunity and turn it into a reality.
Thank you for your support and please help us to spread the word!
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
April 17, 2015
431 Comments
A fantastic proposal for the entire NW, will tie into the Wild Atlantic Way tourism offering, Sligo as #AdventureCapital and nearby Knock international airport will pull the international bikers! Can't wait, well done and congrats to all involved - go raibh míle maith agaibh!!
Now based in Mayo but lived in Limerick and seen the positive effect Ballyhoura has had. Used to hit the trails at least once a week across the whole year. Best a luck with this lads. Great bit of work already completed and a massive addition to the north west.
Country badly needs projects like this. Along with surfing it would turn Sligo into a sort of mini Irish adventure capital. Quality gravity trails (see bike park Wales) would ensure regular bikers keep coming back. Best of luck with it.
Great Tourism initative for Co Sligo should support and compliment the development of the cycle way the development .. Those not fit for the mountain biking can take the cycle way while the mountain bikers enjoy the heights.. Well done to all involved
As a parent of 2 children we are always looking at ways to encourage them to get outside and enjoy themselves. What could be better than a facility like this? We have many friends overseas who would be delighted to come for a visit Sligo with this as their number one activity.
The emploent potential of this MTB park is huge and every single job is required in South Sligo. Add the MTB park to the proposed Sligo Greenway and this region could become the cycling capital of Ireland !!!!!
Would be brilliant to have this facility.
Jarlath Blair
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A fantastic proposal for the entire NW, will tie into the Wild Atlantic Way tourism offering, Sligo as #AdventureCapital and nearby Knock international airport will pull the international bikers! Can't wait, well done and congrats to all involved - go raibh míle maith agaibh!!