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11 SARSFIELD BKS GYM Entrance to Purpose Built Sports Hall Cardio Room Unit Crest Weights Room Sauna Main Sports Hall OPENING OF THE PURPOSE-BUILT SPORTS HALL FOR THE 12TH INF BN SARSFIELD BARRACKS By Comdt Ronan Corcoran Photos by Cpl Lee Coyle On 6th May the Minister for Defence, Mr. Simon Coveney T.D., formally opened the purpose-built Sports Hall in Sarsfield Bks. It was the culmination of a process that began in 2019, when the initial request for Barrack Development was made through 1 Bde Engr Gp. Once the approval from Higher HQ was given, the contracts were then drawn up between the DF, the architect and the relevant consultants. A site visit to Sarsfield Bks by all parties was coordinated by the Area Engineer, and a safety plan was handed over which covered details such as access control to the site. As throughout the construction industry, work was delayed significant- ly due to COVID lockdowns. Good relations ensured clear commu- nication between the barrack commander, the Area Engineer and the consultants, enabling the refinement of plans. According to the Battalion Logistics Officer, Lt Martin Cuddihy 'This proved to be very productive for all involved and proved to be cost effective and put less pressure on the construction firm especially due to the Covid-19 restrictions and delays that were caused throughout.' On completion of construction a handover date was established, and a facility training day was provided to the unit by each of the consultants, showing key members of the unit how the building functioned, including the state of art Building Management Sys- tem. This provides practical energy efficiency to the building and easy control and management to the users. Keys were signed over and the unit was able to immediately make use of the facility, prior to the formal opening in May. The facility provides, under one roof, a full-size basketball court, a weights and a cardio area, with changing rooms and saunas for both male and female soldiers. A physiotherapy room is also provided. The gym staff is made up of PTIs from the unit, under the supervision of Sgt Mark Slattery. Sgt Slattery transferred to 12 Inf Bn from 2 Inf Bn in 2007. 'When I first came to the 12 Inf Bn', Sgt Slattery says, 'the gymnasium was located in a small room with a limited selection of hand weights and machines. The gym now has evolved into a modern state of the art facility, meeting the needs of a new generation of soldier, where physical fitness plays a major part in both their professional and personal lifestyles.' Sgt Slattery oversees the scheduling and rostering of unit PT. 'Having a new gymnasium gives me the platform to plan and organise circuit training, battle circuits and recovery classes in all weather condi- tions. It also gives me the tools needed to work with soldiers to increase their already high levels of fitness and work with individu- als returning from injury.' 12 Inf Bn is also lucky to have two of it's three Captains certified as PTIs, and both hold weekly fitness testing sessions and a unit Battle PT session on Fridays. These are Capt Tom Bell and Capt Colm Kavanagh, who is also Head Coach and Assistant Manag- er of the DF Men's Soccer Team. 'The new gym in Barracks has provided a number of benefits to personnel which include group training classes, inter coy training, additional space for state-of- the-art equipment and dedicated cardio and weight areas', Capt Kavanagh explains. For Capt Bell, 'the new sports facility offers soldiers of various fitness levels, the ability to engage with the PT staff in a range of activities from circuit classes to Battle PT and rehabilitation work.' As the Army's combat arm, the seven infantry battalions maintain the principle of acquiring physical robustness, and 'the new sports facility encourages physical training in a safe and secure environment improving the Bn's overall capability as an Infantry Unit.' Colm, as manager of the DF Men's Soccer Team, recognises that 'the gym has provided benefits to the greater DF supporting DF teams preparing for international fixtures. The gym has already been used by DF Men's Soccer Team, DF Women's Soccer Team and DF Men's Rugby Team. 'In providing support to the DF teams', Colm continues, 'it offers de-centralised national sports training, which provides opportunities to personnel from all over the DF and gives them the chance to represent the DF at an international level.' All DF teams are welcome to attend!

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