KILDARE: Fundraiser launched for all-weather multi-sport facility at Naas CBS

Past and present members of Naas CBS Parents Council and associates have joined forces in order to raise funds for a state-of-the-art, flood-lit, all-weather multi-sport facility at the school.

According to the organisers, the fundraising seeks to 'bridge the gap between the significant development costs and various pledged Naas Municipal District and sporting grants, already in place.'

Speaking about the project, Naas CBS Principal, Ben Travers said: "Generations of brothers and fathers, uncles and grandfathers have passed through the school portals and helped make Naas and its environs the strong and vibrant community it is today, while others have spread the school values of respect, justice and integrity across the land and across the globe.

"Now, Naas CBS is asking for public help to continue building this community and to strengthen the school in the facilities and opportunities it provides its young men."

Past and present members of Naas CBS Parents Council and associates have joined forces to launch a range of initiatives, to raise money for a state-of-the-art flood-lit, all-weather pitch at the school. Pictured from left to right front row are: Maebh Ni Chleirigh; Rioghnagh Bracken; Emma Toner; Alice Lamont; Brid Gallagher. Pictured from left to right back row are: Tim Mulvihill; Niall Duffy; Frank Murphy; Kieran Sweeney. Missing from the picture are David Creighton, John Lennon and Sinead Harvey. Photograph supplied by Naas CBS.

Speaking at the launch of the fundraising initiatives, Committee Chairman, Tim Mulvihill, also said: "On behalf of the Fundraising Committee, I would like to convey my heartfelt appreciation to all those who have laid the foundation for us to take this project to the next level.

"The committee also wishes to express our thanks to the steering committee for the project."

He continued: "The estimated sum of putting this facility in place is just over €1.2 million, and our school fundraising aims to raise capital of €350,000.

"Whilst parents will be asked to make voluntary contributions, we now invite alumni, and the wider community to help us raise this significant sum by donating to our GoFundMe page entitled, 'Help Build All-Weather Sports Facility at Naas CBS', or by committing to sponsorship:

• Pitch-side advertising (5m x 1.2m) will cost €3,000, plus fitting, for three years.

• Dug-out advertising (2 locations) will cost €5,000, plus fitting, for three years.

• Floodlight advertising will cost €5,000, plus fitting, for three years; to be sold as a package of three locations.

• Our scoreboard will cost €5,000 for three years."

Mr Mulvihill concluded: "Once in place, the facility will be extensively used by the Naas CBS school community, Naas GAA, and by an array of sporting and community groups with significant numbers of spectators to see your advertising hoardings."

Libraries throughout Kildare taking part in nationwide reading initiative

Aims to celebrate reading and all the benefits it can have

NOTICE: Kildare County Council to remove tree at high risk of felling

FURTHER INFORMATION

The committee will seek to engage support and sponsorship from parents, alumni, the wider Naas community, and businesses in the coming weeks.

According to organisers, building works will commence in mid-2024, to conclude in early 2025.

They continued: "The facility, to be built in partnership with Naas GAA, will run adjacent to Naas CBS and will boast a fourth-generation (4G) playing surface, accommodating a broad spectrum of sports.

"The site will be available for use by pupils, Naas GAA members, and by an array of sporting and community groups.

"Alongside the sterling academic record the school has deservedly earned, Naas CBS enjoys a reputation for promoting sport as a valuable life skill, a sure pathway to encourage personal and team development."

The organisers further said that recent years at the school 'have been peppered' with a list of sporting accolades for Naas CBS pupils across athletics, basketball, kayaking, tennis, badminton, soccer, rugby, and football. 

They added: "Harnessing increasing sporting success and seeking to further develop students’ potential, Naas CBS was granted planning permission for the all-weather playing facility in 2021.

"The development at the school in the heart of the town will give its students a higher level of physical education and increase the range of sport and fitness options in fair weather and foul," the organisers concluded.

Sponsorship enquiries can be directed to the committee at naascbspitchfund@gmail.com.

To donate to Naas CBS's GoFundMe page, click here.