The former Limerick racecourse is to be the focus of a €250 million redevelopment plan. Among the dignitaries welcomed at Greenpark were Pope John Paul II and the late President J.F Kennedy. John Treacy won a gold medal when the racecourse hosted the World Cross-Country championships.
The housing, retail and leisure scheme put forward by Limerick Racecourse Company envisages a 700-house and apartment development, a new village with a pub, cafe, restaurant, shops, a medical centre and childcare facilities.
A feature of the scheme is to be a 19-hectare leisure and amenities area.
According to Mr Mark McMahon, chairman of the Racecourse Company, Greenpark will remain a"green oasis" available to locals.
Mr McMahon continued: "We have spent many years working on the proposed development, identifying what should be done with the old racecourse.
"Now we have a blueprint, something we are very excited about and something we hope the people of Limerick will be very excited by.
"The houses and apartments themselves will be state-of-the-art in terms of design and layout, while considerable effort has gone into making the overall environment lifestyle-friendly."
Mr McMahon described the leisure and amenity area as especially attractive, bringing a range of "health and leisure attractions all open to the public just a short walk from the city centre".
The leisure and amenity section has been landscaped to include a lagoon, a number of walks, a woodland area, open spaces and playing pitches.
Mr McMahon went on: "There will be a playground for the children. There will also be a leisure centre with running tracks, tennis courts, football pitches and more.
"Like all cities, Limerick needs as many easily accessible leisure areas as possible."
In keeping with the racing tradition at Greenpark, the old parade ring has been incorporated as a feature in the residential area
There are plans to erect plaques to commemorate the visits of the Pope and President Kennedy, as well as John Treacy's victory.
The company estimates that more than 700 people will be employed during the construction phase.
There will be another 400 employees when the various elements are functioning.
Racing in Limerick continues at the new racecourse in Greenmount, Patrickswell.
Planning applications for the development were lodged last Friday and it is hoped to begin construction in 2007.
Construction would take about three years.
