Campaign for major sports complex in Portarlington

A CAMPAIGN for a Regional Sports Complex in Portarlington has been launched by a community group, which contends that the town is a better location than Portlaoise for a major sporting facility.

Portarlington Community Development Association (PCDA) has written to local TDs and Laois County Council chief executive Michael Rainey, calling for ‘a comprehensive feasibility study’ to explore the potential for locating a Regional Sports Complex in the town.

PCDA chairman Aidan Mullally said: “We believe Portarlington should be preferred over Portlaoise for such an investment, due to its superior accessibility, available infrastructure and growing population.” 

He added: “Portlaoise has already received significant state and private sector investment. It’s time the council looked beyond Portlaoise and recognised the clear potential in other communities.” 

The lack of a major sports complex in Laois has been repeatedly highlighted by councillors and by groups such as Portlaoise Panthers basketball club, with renewed calls last year for the development of a facility for a variety of sports. During debates in county hall, senior officials told councillors that a major sports complex would cost about €25 million.

In a statement issued on 12 May, PCDA argued that Portarlington is the best location in the county for ‘a Regional Sports Complex within the Midlands region’.

The group said: ‘With a projected investment requirement of approximately €25 million, the PCDA believes that this major infrastructural project must be strategically located to maximise user access, ensure long-term sustainability and support broader regional development objectives.’ 

PCDA outlined the town’s strategic advantages, including Portarlington’s ‘exceptional connectivity and accessibility’ in terms of rail and road access. The town is served by Irish Rail’s intercity network with direct routes to Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Westport and a key junction on the Athlone line.

By road, Portarlington is within 20 minutes of the M7 (Dublin–Limerick) and 25 minutes of the M8 (Dublin–Cork), with additional connectivity via regional routes R419 and R445.

Mr Mullally said: “This level of access places Portarlington in an ideal position to serve not just Laois but the wider Midlands and Eastern regions." 

He added that Portarlington, which straddles Laois and Offaly and borders Kildare, is one of the fastest-growing urban centres in the region, so the location of a sports complex would support ‘regional balance and decentralisation’.

According to the PCDA submission, the town offers zoned and suitable land for community and recreational development. A sports complex could integrate with local schools, clubs and active tourism infrastructure, including Derryounce Lakes and Trails which already attracts regional visitors and supports water-based recreation.

A regional sports complex in Portarlington would also drive substantial local economic activity, boost tourism and create long-term employment across construction, coaching, events and management. The town is home to a thriving sporting culture, including multiple GAA, basketball, soccer and athletics achievements.

Mr Mullally commented: “Within just one mile of the town centre, we have Killenard and Gracefield, both of which boast vibrant GAA communities and strong sporting traditions.” 

PCDA is calling for a full feasibility study that would compare Portarlington and Portlaoise across key criteria such as access, readiness, impact and viability.

The study would also engage with local sports organisations, schools and disability sports networks, as well as assessing planning and environmental implications.

Mr Mullally concluded: “Portarlington is uniquely positioned to host a major regional sports facility. In contrast to Portlaoise, which already functions as a county town, investing in Portarlington would promote more balanced development across the region. A feasibility study is essential to validate this strategic opportunity and ensure the best value for public investment.”