Wexford stadium a perfect model for Pairc project
No matter what way you look at it, this has been a decent few months for Meath GAA clubs on the provincial front. An autumn of mists and mellow fruitfulness and some memorable moments - particularly for teams like Castletown, winners of the Leinster Club JFC. It was a privilege to be in Wexford Park to watch Castletown defeat local side St Abban's, Addamstown. It was a day the club’s players and supporters will treasure - always. Such days can never be underestimated in people's lives. As the old song goes: "Memories are made of this."
Castletown were certainly not short of support in Wexford - and their band of followers weren't all made up of people just from Castletown either, or Dunshaughlin, who narrowly lost out to Fethard in the IFC final earlier in the day. There were others; real GAA people from other parts of the Royal County, who went down to see the game simply because teams from Meath were in with a real shout of landing significant pieces of silverware.
I met with some of those people in Wexford Park and in most cases the conversation got around to the venue itself. How impressive it was with it's spacious, modern stand; it's neat terraces at both ends; it's seating facilities at the opposite side of the pitch; it's manicured surface.
It was clear other work was taking place. In each of the four corners there was evidence of recently dug up soil. Further enquiries revealed how floodlights were about to be installed and would be ready for use in the new year. Development was ongoing. Plans were being formulated and acted upon.
One of the visitors from the Royal County wondered: "How long will it be before we see a stand like this in Pairc Tailteann?" It's a relevant question, but certainly there won't be a 'Pairc nua' for the foreseeable future.
Last summer Meath Co Board announced it was shelving plans to carry out major restructuring work at the Brews Hill venue. Various reasons were cited such as inflation in the construction sector and the war in Ukraine. They were all legitimate reasons yet other counties are pushing on with plans, undeterred by the formidable challenges that stand in their way.
Meath GAA followers were no doubt interested to learn recently that Kerry GAA had announced plans for the redevelopment of Fitzgerald Stadium with an estimated cost of €72.5 million. That's right €72.5 million. Co Board chairman Patrick O'Sullivan spoke about plans for a "major refit" turning the ground into a "multi-event centre." Ambitious and visionary or what?
I have never stepped foot in Fitzgerald Stadium yet from watching games from there on TV it looks a pretty modern stadium, with a stand and terraces all the way around the pitch. It certainly doesn't look like an ageing, crumbling theatre of dreams badly in need of a facelift - yet it's going to get one.
Work at Pairc Tailteann doesn't have to be so extensive or wide ranging. A new stand would do just fine - for now.
What Kerry is planning is certainly ambitious and daring indeed with more details to be announced in January as to how the whole project is to be funded, which should make for some interesting reading.
In recent months also Louth GAA announced they had received €14.8million in investment towards the development of a new stadium.
The money will be allocated to the completion of the “Louth GAA Stadium Project” which will be based on the Inner Relief Road in Dundalk. Ambitions too.
There seems to be a fear in Meath of incurring a big debt but such anxieties have not deterred others. Costs will continue to rise no matter what. As one Meath GAA fans said to me. “The only way to cap costs is to act and get the job done.” He’s right.
If you were waiting for the perfect conditions to build something nothing would ever be constructed.Meath Co Board have said they were exploring "various options.” It will also be interesting to see if, in 2023, we discover what these options and plans are.