1. Indoor Sporting Arena

2. Proposed Development Size of building: 12,000m 2 The main functions of the facility are: –the athletics arena –the multi-sport arena –the outdoor stand to serve the existing track There are also comprehensive support facilities for elite athlete training, medical facilities and café, general changing facilities

3. Proposed Facilities

4. Present Situation Lack of quality indoor facilities in Ireland Extensive community needs Lack of running track is a barrier to the development of athletics in the Athlone region for able-bodied and special needs athletes Boost to AIT hosting of HSE Community Games National Finals

5. NGB Support Sought & Consultants International athlete – Eamonn Coghlan Athletics Ireland – John Foley, CEO Football Association of Ireland – Paddy McCaul, President Irish Institute of Sport – Gary Keegan Westmeath/Leinster GAA – Tom Farrell Athlone Town Council

6. Public Use AC Celtic FC Roscommon AC, St Ronans AC Buccaneers RFC Westmeath GAA All-army regional & national athletics finals Connacht schools track & field HSE Community Games Athlone & District Schoolboy League squads Connacht rugby u-20 development squad Athletics Ireland development squads Various county hurling and football teams for friendly inter-county matches

7. Event Hosting Proven Ability & Facilities to Host & Manage Events HSE Community Games National Finals hosts 2009-2012 Celtic Games, AAI Games hosts Excellent car parking, catering, etc. Central location of institute to all major transport routes Athlone Hospital, Portiuncla Hospital, Tullamore Hospital, abundant sports physiotherapists Airports: Knock 45mins, Dublin 1½hrs, Shannon 2hrs

9. Justification for Facility First mover advantage – no comparable track or facility in Ireland NGBs supporting this ambitious plan Strong support of local and regional clubs Complements AITs outdoor track and astro-turf pitch Increases attractiveness of institute for students Enhances facilities for existing students, staff and community

11. Olympics 2012 Prime location for Olympic 2012 team training camps General hospitals Sports physiotherapists Local and national transport services Accommodation (abundant Section 50) Access to airports

12. Enhancement of Existing Facilities on Campus Multi-purpose sports hall Fully equipped fitness suite Aerobics/circuit training area Full-size GAA and soccer pitches IAAF-approved athletics track FIFA 2-star artificial soccer pitch Cross-country track Lecture/meeting rooms Extensive canteen facilities Parking

13. Management Staff of the institute sports department to manage, maintain and market the new facilities Available to community groups, schools, Rapid initiatives

15. Main Elements of Building Indoor athletics track and field auditorium: –200m banked running track –spectator seating for 1,500 persons –elevated athlete warm-up area with an 80m sprint track Separate multipurpose indoor sports auditorium: –basketball/futsal, multi-sports –spectator seating for 1,500 persons Potential for 3,500 spectators in concert setting

16. Main Elements of Building 500-person outdoor spectator stand overlooking the existing 400m outdoor track and field facility, with finish line control room Ancillary accommodation including: –10 changing room facilities –gymnasium –high-performance training rooms –recovery suite –medical centre and support rooms –café/restaurant

18. Building Materials The materials of the building are primarily a palette of three high quality materials: –Portland concrete panel –green copper panel –thermally broken, solar glare-reducing double glazing It is deliberately chosen to avoid metal panelling

19. Environmental Considerations The building incorporates all accepted passive and sustainable technology, including rainwater harvesting, high degrees of insulation The main athletics arena is naturally lit to reduce running cost, with lights used rarely The auditoriums are naturally ventilated. The preferred ambient temperature of a sports centre – 16 degrees – facilitates lowest possible energy use for a building of this type