GAA gets green light for centre of excellence
John O'Shea, Pat Deering, M.J. Lomax, Michael Meaney, Stephen Murphy, and Tom O'Neill at the site for the new Carlow GAA centre of excellence.
Tuesday August 31 2010
FENAGH will soon be home to a field of dreams after Carlow County GAA Board got the green light to go ahead with a multi-million euro sports complex. The so called GAA Centre of Excellence will cost approximately €3.5 milllion with up to 100 people being employed in its construction.
' The vibes are very positive in the locality about the centre,' Edmond Kearny, Fenagh businessman and former GAA player, said. 'Everyone is looking forward to the job opportunities, it's great that Fenagh was chosen for this.'
It's taken three years for the plan to get to this stage and just last week, the county board could finally press ahead with it after An Bórd Pleanála received no submissions about it.
However, earlier this summer, Carmel Gibson, secretary of Kildavin/Clonegal, rubbished the proposal, insisting that the existing facilities in the county are adequate. Last week she refused to comment on the fact that the project will now go full steam ahead.
County Chairman, Pat Deering said that the Centre of Excellence was essential for the training of players at all levels, particularly during the winter months.
The centre will consist of three floodlit pitches, four dressing rooms, a dining area and parking. Phase two of the plan, which would introduce a further two pitches plus, possibly, a stand, has been shelved for the time being.
The project will be funded by Croke Park to the tune of €1.25 million with Carlow County GAA Board coming up with the remainder of the money.
Every club in the county has been given either the option of raising an annual subscription of €2,500 by selling raffle tickets or through other methods of fundraising.
The idea for a such a centre came about when Carlow County Board was given €250,000 by Croke Park which they could either split between a number of clubs or spend it on one main project.
Fenagh was chosen as the location for the centre of excellence because of its central position in the county. Work is expected to begin at the end of September.
- ELIZABETH LEE
