The past few years have been particularly challenging for sports clubs when it comes to fundraising, and it has reinforced the significant role that communities play in supporting each other. Lee Group announced this week that they are continuing their sponsorship deal with Charleville Community Sports Complex, which is now entering its second year.
Speaking at the launch, Ray and Brendan Lee, owners of Lee Group added “We are delighted to be partnering Charleville Community Sports Complex as proud sponsors of their All-Weather pitch at Moatville, Charleville. Community is something that is especially important to us as a business and something that we are both very passionate about. We are delighted to play a small part in supporting both Charleville Community Sports Complex and Charleville AFC to ensure the continued prosperity of the club, and the key role that they play in maintaining a vibrant local community”
Charleville Community Sports Complex Ltd was set up in 2013 to build a full-size All-Weather pitch plus a five aside training area at a cost of 638k. With the help of Fundraising and a grant from Ballyhoura Development it was built with a loan of 400k from Clann Credo.
The facility is run commercially as a business as the costs per year for loans, lighting, insurance and maintenance is €48,000 per year and is managed on a voluntary basis.
The facility is rented, and their main tenants are Charleville AFC plus local GAA, Rugby Soccer clubs and schools. Limerick county schoolboys and girl’s teams use the facility for their elite performance training.
Speaking at the launch, Clement Hehir said “The Lee Group is our main sponsor of the complex and the revenue generated from the sponsorship helps enormously with the day-to-day costs of the complex. We would like to thank Ray and Brendan for their generous and continued sponsorship and wish them the best in their development of Lee Group
Lee Group, owned by brothers Ray and Brendan Lee have operated two Centra stores in Charleville for almost 20 years. They recently opened their new venture, Salt & Sage Café at Main St, Charleville. They also operate award winning Centra Convenience stores and forecourts in Pallasgreen, Co Limerick and Caherconlish, Co Limerick.