Volunteers get greyhound racing back on track
THE country could learn a lesson from the people at Kilkenny Greyhound track who are not waiting for outside help to save one of the best-loved sporting institutions in the county.
Over the last few weeks, dozens of greyhound racing enthusiasts have been rolling up their sleeves to ensure the survival and expansion of the sport in the city. This followed news that the track company was in financial difficulties.
Volunteers have been turning up daily to carry out improvements. From JCB operators, to carpenters, electricians and painters, it's all systems go at James's Park on the Freshford Road.
"We are looking at it like our own local hurling club and we all decided to get together to save it," greyhound trainer Paul Henn-essy said.
The Paulstown dog handler is hugely enthusiastic about what is happening and said it was the community spirit shown by those who love the sport that led to the self-help campaign or, as the Irish Greyhound Racing Board have called it, the Kilkenny Renaissance.
"We said to ourselves that we couldn't let it close and about 20 of us said we would roll up our sleeves and do the work and that's what is happening," Paul told the Kilkenny People.
The reaction was hugely positive and bookies, greyhound owners, trainers, owners and patrons all turned up to work at the track.
The improvements are already evident, with the whole place freshly painted and maintenance carried out on several parts of the site.
The track itself has been widened and a second finish line has been installed to cater for the longer races (550 yards). The old hare operator's tower has been demolished and the place is looking better than it has in years. The carparking has also been improved immeasurably.
All this augurs well for the re-opening at the start of April, hopefully on Sunday, April 5.
The track closed in January and there were serious and well-founded fears that it would not re-open because of financial problems. But greyhound trainer Paul Hennessy and a group of others with the best interests of the track at heart took over and the change has been incredible.
People put their own money in to make sure it stays afloat and new streams of revenue have been found, including the introduction of new sponsors. And the existing sponsors have made a commitment to carry on.
"We have raised sponsorship for new competitions and the existing sponsors are backing us all the way," Mr Hennessy said.
Another track director Ger Duncan is thrilled with the turn-around at the track. "It's unbelievable what is happening and I brought the CEO of the Greyhound board Adrian Neilan on a guided tour and he was full of praise for the voluntary work force." A management committee has been put in place to deal with the day-to-day running of the track. Aileen Lennon is in charge of finance while Denis Hughes is looking after the benefit nights and the bar,” Duncan said.
A benefit night to cover costs of the ‘face-lift’ will be held later in the year.
The track itself is also being upgraded with around 1250 tonnes of sand expected to be spread on it over the next few weeks.
The country may be facing unprecedented financial crises, but the people at Kilkenny Track have shown that there is no substitute for hard work and a will to succeed.
The people of Kilkenny owe them a debt and that can be repaid by frequenting the stadium when it reopens.
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Monday 21 May 2012
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