The Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) has confirmed that work will begin on the construction of a new greyhound stadium in Limerick in March of next year.

The project will generate 250 new construction jobs through to its completion in September 2010.

Filling on the Dock Road site is already underway. The advertisement for main contractors and sub contractors to work on the new stadium, which will be the largest construction project starting in the south west in 2009, has drawn a substantial response and the expressions of interest are currently being evaluated.

The tender for the main construction contract will be published on 16th January with return of tender documents by February 28th and contractors moving on site during March.

"The original plans approved by the Irish Greyhound Board in 2005 have been updated to accommodate greater building and environmental efficiency," said IGB Chief Executive Adrian Neilan speaking at the site on December 9th.

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"Limerick is a multi-million development, making it one of the biggest construction projects in the south west next year. It will create 250 construction jobs up to its completion in September 2010 and then over 100 permanent jobs at the stadium which will be a long term top class addition to the sporting tradition of which Limerick is justifiably proud."

Mr Neilan said the next few years will be challenging, but the Limerick project is a cornerstone of our long term ambition for the sport of greyhound racing and its support of nearly 11,000 jobs in Ireland.

"The capital funds established during recent years are being invested wisely for the long term benefit of the sport and the industry. These will be supplemented in this instance by the savings generated by relocating our Head Office from the City Centre to the new stadium," he added.

John J Casey and Company has been appointed as project manager for the construction of the new Limerick Greyhound Stadium.

The company oversaw construction of Curaheen Park stadium in Cork and the renovation of Shelbourne Park and Harolds Cross Stadiums in Dublin, as well as Galway greyhound stadium in over the last decade. More recently it served as Quantity Surveyors and Project Managers on the highly regarded €60m redevelopment of Jury’s Hotel in Cork, and on the €6m new pavilion stand at Mallow racecourse.

The existing headquarters of the Irish Greyhound Board on Henry Street in Limerick will likely be put on the market in early 2009. Initial queries on the property are being handled by JC Gubbins of O’Connor, Murphy Gubbins.

(GK)