WORK ON Limerick’s new greyhound stadium at Greenpark is up and running.

The 10-year-long campaign to bring Limerick into line with such centres as Galway, Dublin, Cork, etc. is about to bear fruition.

When finished, Limerick will have one of the best greyhound stadiums in Ireland and the UK.

The Markets Field has served the greyhound community since 1932, and is way past its sell by date.

Limerick had been promised a new facility as far back as 10 years ago, and despite various announcement in the interim, it was only last year that a firm commitment was made.

Bord na gCon had, in fact, earlier purchased a site close to the Two Mile Inn Hotel, but plans were dropped following objections.

Minister for Defence, Willie O’Dea dropped by the Dock Road site on Monday, when accompanied by Irish Greyhound Board Chairman Dick O’Sullivan.

The Minister was taken through the work done to date on filling the site and the plans for the stadium. The tender period for the main contractors on the multi-million euro project closed on Friday and contractors are expected to be on site within weeks.

The project will generate 250 new construction jobs through to its completion in September 2010, and 100 permanent jobs in the long term.

The new stadium will have a capacity of 2,900. It will host an estimated 1,700 greyhound races each year and will be a significant addition to Limerick’s existing sports infrastructure. Racing will continue in the meantime on Monday (selected dates), Thursday and Saturday evenings at the existing Markets Field stadium.

“There is no doubt that 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,” said O’Sullivan. “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”.

Out picture shows Willie O'Dea, Minister of Defence with Tony McKenna, Dick O'Sullivan, chairman IGB and Niall Healy, showing the Minister the plans for the new Greyhound Track on the Dock Road.