Cash flow crisis threatens future of Tipperary sports and recreation centre

One of Tipperary's top sports and recreation centres is at risk of closure because of a serious cash flow crisis.

People attending a public meeting in Tipperary town on Wednesday will be told that the problems facing the town's renowned Canon Hayes Centre are so severe that its future is at risk.

A blunt 'use it or lose it' message will go out to the people of the town at the meeting in the Excel Centre at 8pm.

The centre, one of the finest in Munster for the past thirty years, needs to get more people through its door to survive.

Its primary source of income is through use of its facilities - gym, steam room, sauna, courts and the main hall.

However the upsurge in new gyms and training  centres across the region means that fewer customers are using the Canon Hayes facilities.

“Many schools also  have excellent facilities and that is keeping more people away from the centre as well”, says chairman Martin Quinn.

He says the public meeting is taking place to alert people to the serious financial plight of the centre, named after Muintir na Tire founder, Canon John Hayes.

“There is little point in bolting the stable door when , the horse has bolted”, said Mr Quinn.

“We need to address this situation now and let people know the full facts”.

Mr Quinn said this week that the centre is debt-free - and actually opened debt-free in 1987 - but that didn't mask the cash flow problems.

“We are taking a pre-emptive decision to alert people to the situation and to appeal for the public's support.

“Virtually every village has its own gym facilities now but we need people to continue to use ours.

“We need to address this now or else there is a risk of closure. The remedy we are looking for is public support as we need people using the facilities more than they are at the moment”.