Review reveals final Páirc Uí Chaoimh bill to come in at just under €96m

THE redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh is set to come in €10m over budget on the most recent projected figures, an interval review of costs has revealed.

A statement issued by the GAA on behalf of the Cork County Board and the board of Páirc Uí Chaoimh stated that the estimated final cost of the stadium will be €95.8m.

That figure comes well above the cost of €86m that had been suggested a little over a year ago but below the €110m total that had been mooted by Croke Park stadium director Peter McKenna before Christmas.

The two-and-a-half-year development of the stadium, which was completed in 2017, was initially projected to cost around €70m but delays and over-runs saw that figure rise significantly.

The review was carried out by Páirc Uí Chaoimh board members Tom Gray and Michael O’Flynn, with the statement confirming that Cork will not be in a position to use the venue in the short term due to ongoing pitch issues.

“In arriving at the final estimated cost, provision has been made for the full replacement of the pitch at Páirc Uí Chaoimh,” read the statement. “In this regard, the Executive of Cork County Board has decided that Cork’s remaining Allianz League fixtures, including the double-headers with Ladies Football, will take place at Páirc Uí Rinn. A final decision on whether to undertake a full pitch replacement or other remediation work on the Páirc Uí Chaoimh pitch will be taken by the stadium board in the immediate future. The Board will be making no further comment on these matters.”