As one of the main sponsors of the new community pitch in the centre of Arigna, Co. Roscommon, Energia Group was delighted to take part in the recent official opening celebrations. 

Fundraising for the pitch started back in 2019, when members of the newly-formed group, AREA (Arigna Recreational  Enhancement Association), approached the nearby Derrysallagh Wind Farm for support.  Energia’s wind farm construction fund donated a total of €120,000 over a period of 3 years, which AREA used to leverage further funding - including a grant of nearly €500,000 from the government’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme. 

Six years on, the ambitious project is now complete – including a community pitch with floodlights, surrounding walkway and pedestrian village plaza with seating and planting. 

The official opening ceremony attracted a large crowd of players and supporters of all ages – including local children parents, grandparents, funders and locally elected representatives.  

AREA Treasurer, Barry Cobb, said, “The community pitch represents a huge achievement for Arigna and it will have a huge impact on the village. Young players can use the pitch during the school holidays and teams can book it in the evenings. We’ll be working with the local schools and hope to see the outer walkway used by all generations day and night – thanks to the addition of pitch lighting. 

“We’d like to thank all our funders - with special thanks to Energia Group, whose initial sponsorship helped kick start the entire project which we’ve been able to expand along the way. And we’re not finished yet!” 

As part of the opening ceremony, players from St Ronan’s GAA and Valley Rovers FC took to the pitch for a series of exhibition show matches. The clubs have praised the new facility, which they say will be used at all levels.  

Energia’s Community Engagement Manager, Rosy Billingham, told the opening ceremony crowd that Energia Group and the Derrysallagh Wind Farm construction team had been delighted to play their part in giving AREA the kickstart the project needed.  She added, “It’s great to see a new group form around a project, opportunity or community need like this magnificent pitch – and even better when a group like AREA can use our donation to leverage further funding from different sources.   

“It’s clear listening to everyone here today – on and off stage - that this pitch will have a long-lasting positive impact in Arigna. And that’s what community investment is all about. Congratulations to everyone involved.”