Tidy Towns champion Abbeyleix gets funding for health and fitness Vitality Hub

National Tidy Towns champion Abbeyleix is adding to its many attractions with a new public physical activity hub.

An Abbeyleix Vitality Hub has been announced by Laois Sports Partnership in association with Sport Ireland.

Laois has just received funding for what will be the county's fourth Community Sports and Physical Activity Hubs.

This new Hub will be located in Fr Breen Park in Abbeyleix. It is in addition to other hubs serving Stradbally, Vicarstown, Timahoe SVT Activity and Wellness Hub, in Rathdowney/Errill and at the BloomHQ community and business centre in Mountrath.

Abbeyleix Vitality Hub will operate under the umbrella group of the Abbeyleix Park Development Committee, which administers activities in Fr Breen Park.

Already based at the park are GAA, Soccer, Tennis and Hockey Clubs. The Hub will add more physical activities, sports and wellness initiatives along with supplementing the four clubs.

A big gathering for an Abbeyleix Junior Hockey Club event.

Caroline Myers is the CEO of Laois Sports Partnership.

"A Sports Hub provides information, support and advice on a wide range of sports and physical activities to make it easier for people to get involved and engage in a more active and healthier lifestyle," she told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.    

John Thompson, Chair of Abbeyleix Vitality Hub said that Abbeyleix Vitality Hub will "recognise the diversity of the local community and aims to maximise participation through improving the facility & increasing participation amongst all residents".

It is yet another string to the bow of active Abbeyleix.

The Heritage Town and Ireland’s Tidiest Town also has wonderful walking trails including Abbeyleix Bog Boardwalk, Collins Bog Loop, The Killamuck Loop, The Lords Walk Loop, the Heywood Wood Gardens Loop & Dunmore Woods Loop.

A 10k cycling route can be enjoyed on the Abbeyleix - Durrow cycle lane. There is also an outdoor gym in the park.

The Hub hopes to add even more opportunities for residents to get active and live healthily.

The Abbeyleix Vitality Hub steering committee is made up of representatives of participating clubs and organisations.

With its Hub Coordinator they are designing an Action Plan to boost activity and participation levels in this community.

Liz Kennedy is Co-ordinator for Abbeyleix Vitality Hub.

"The Action Plan will be based on the findings of a needs analysis to identify gaps in activities and facilities that currently hinder people from participating locally.

"We are interested in hearing from residents from Abbeyleix and environs including Ballyroan, Ballinakill, Shanahoe, Raheen, Ballacolla and Durrow. We hope to run taster sessions type activities initially for all ages and abilities.  Please follow us on our Facebook page @abbeyleixvitalityhub and feel free to complete our online survey and have your say," she said.

All clubs, organisations and community volunteers from Abbeyleix and the surrounding areas are invited to the hub's launch, taking place on Sunday, April 28 in Fr Breen Park, at 10am.