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Lions free fitness zone opens in Lloyd Town Park

24th July 2018

A fantastic new free fitness zone has been opened in Lloyd Town Park.

The brainchild of Tullamore Lions Club, the zone has a range of new gym equipment which is available to anybody. All located within one area for ease of use, the equipment is sturdy and a great asset to an already highly utilised park.

Speaking at the official opening on Thursday afternoon last, the President of Tullamore Lions Club, Pat Lalor said the launch of the fitness zone was a tangible way of expressing the Lions Club appreciation to the people of Tullamore and the surrounding area for their invaluable support and generosity over the past 40  years.

''Each piece of equipment has a simple illustration of how that piece of equipment can contribute to overall fitness improvement. There is also an illustration showing how each piece of equipment works. I was pleasantly surprised to discover how easy it is to use the instructions and to use the equipment,'' commented Mr Lalor.

Mr Lalor went on to say that a few laps of the park followed by use of the equipment can provide ''all of us with the recommended amount of physical exercise.''

He continued, ''the fitness zone is now a community facility. It is here to be used by young people and adults of all ages, who value the health benefits of taking exercise.''

''It has been very rewarding and encouraging to see how quickly the fitness zone has become widely used,''he noted.

''In the Lions club we received great support for this project from many individuals and organisations. The county council granted us a licence to use the site on which the fitness zone is located and provided the Lions club with public liability insurance. In addition Brian Mahon, the  county council solicitor, was most helpful.  Offaly local development company awarded the club a generous financial grant towards the cost of the project. Steve O'Donoghue and his colleagues provided invaluable support in guiding us through this process. Tullamore Municipal District undertook the necessary ground work to facilitate the installation of the fitness zone.

John Connelly and his predecessor Paul Devaney, provided invaluable advice and support and the staff of the Municipal District have all been most supportive. Eamonn Henry of Offaly Sports Partnership and Clodagh Armitage of the HSE, provided practical advice and support in selecting the most suitable types of equipment to be installed.

The project was led by Lions club member Denis Doherty. ''It was Denis who first brought forward the concept of a fitness zone for the town park in Tullamore He has shown unbelievable determination and patience in leading this project to a very successful conclusion.''

''Finally in the interests of  contributing to the health and fitness of the people of our area I just want to encourage individuals, families, and  sports and fitness clubs in Tullamore to promote and use this fitness zone at every possible opportunity,'' concluded Mr Lalor. 

The Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Municipal District, Councillor Declan Harvey in his address to the crowd said; ''I was here last Sunday morning it was very quiet and I used most of the equipment. It's not bad at all. Our town park is the jewel in our crown here in Tullamore. We are very proud of it. The Lions club are a great bunch of people, great to work with. On my personal behalf and on behalf of the people of Tullamore I'm delighted to be here,'' he said.

The Cathaoirleach of Offaly Council, Councillor Danny Owens, described it as a ''wonderful facility. It has obviously been done in a very professional manner. It's wonderful to see people using it. I want to thank the Lions club and Offaly Local Development for their contribution. Most particularly the Lions club who for years, have been a wonderful organisation providing support to many groups and individuals. All told they provide a fantastic service to the community as do Offaly Local Development in all the monies they make available for projects of one kind or another.

Let there be many happy days in the park using these facilities,'' he ended.

Following the ribbon cutting, a reception was held at Tullamore Municipal District Offices.

 

Camilla McLoughlin

 

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