Permission granted to Hockey Club for their much-needed grounds
After 15 years without a home, permission has finally been granted to Gorey Hockey Club to construct their own training ground.
Wexford County Council has given the go ahead to the Hockey Club to build an all-weather playing facility, floodlighting, fencing and car park at Creagh Demesne.
The facility will cost a total of €300,000 to construct. The club secured 2.9 hectares from Wexford County Council last year, which it will take on a 25-year term lease, and since then has tirelessly been fundraising for the Astroturf pitch and car park.
The proposed developed consists of three phases. Phase One will be the initial ground works, laying of the all-weather Astroturf pitch, installation of a porta cabin for changing rooms and fencing around the site; Phase Two will be the installation of pitch side lighting; and Phase Three will be the construction of a club house.
The Hockey Club has a fundraising target of €150,000 with the remainder of the required funds coming from Sports Capital Grants, LEADER and a contribution from Wexford County Council.
The development of the Astroturf pitch will be a shared facility with the schools in the area such as Creagh College, St Joseph’s National School and Gorey Educate Together, and will also be available for community use. The pitch will be suitable for many different types of sports including soccer, bowls, disability sports, community groups, and more.
As it’s located at the entrance to St Joseph’s NS, the gates will have to be moved to accommodate the development. The car park will be available for use by school parents as parking is currently very limited in the area.
Gorey Hockey Club has been without a home for over a decade and train at various locations including Craanford and Enniscorthy. They currently have 160 junior members and senior ladies’ team but without a home they have struggled to grow.
The Hockey Club has raised more than €50,000 so far and has a number of exciting fundraiser project to come, including the Beat 102-103 Courtown Colour Run on Saturday, July 7, at 11.30 a.m.