Dick Hearns Centre will be a multi-functional two-storey building to complement the existing campus at Abbeyhalfquarter, Ballina, Co. Mayo, which has an indoor sports centre, a swimming pool and tennis courts. A company, trading as Dick Hearns Centre,  has been formed whose objectives are to carry on the business of a multi-disciplinary training centre at Dick Hearns Centre, to educate, train and develop the members of the  community in the process of deep respect and true listening to the needs of other people in the community, to allow community life to be interest-based. To promote, protect and preserve the mental and physical health of the community. To develop social capital by developing trust and cooperation through friendship networks, neighborhoods, social, cultural clubs and associations,  the development and operation of health and fitness centres, health and fitness business solutions, health and fitness consultancy services, health and fitness management, instructors dealing in all kinds of leisure, fitness and weight loss activities, and anything ancillary to the benefit of the local community.  

They say the Irish box above their weight, and this new centre takes its name from one of Ireland's greatest sportsmen, the late Dick Hearns, whose sporting achievements, and especially boxing, were exemplary. The new centre will be available to many groups, not necessarily sporting, and social inclusion will be to the fore. Site location: 54° 6'48.80"N 9° 8'47.19"W.

Existing site plan Proposed site plan Floor Plan Dick Hearns Centre

(Hold CTRL and press + to enlarge OR Command and +)

The project has the support of all public representatives in the municipal area and construction is sheduled to begin in the spring of 2017.

Dick Hearns Centre wishes to acknowledge the support of Ballina Community Sports Centre for granting the company a 50-year lease of a site to build the centre, and to Leader from whom the company hopes to secure grant-aid for the construction stage. We also intend seeking aid from Co. Mayo Foundation.

We have pledges from a number of people to grant the company interest-free loans, repayable within five years. Please contact us if you wish to make a donation or give an interest-free loan.

To make a lodgement directly to our bank please use the following details: Dick Hearns Centre, Account No. 20004180
AIB Bank, Pearse Street, Ballina, Co. Mayo. IBAN: IE17AIBK93702920004180 BIC: AIBKIE2D.
 

Joe Lavelle receiving cheque  from Vincent Hearns at Dáil Éireann 17th November 2016 Go raibh míle maith agat a chara!