2020 county final still the target as land deal passes
INTER-COUNTY
LOUTH GAA chiefs remain hopeful that the 2020 senior county final will be played at their brand new home on the Inner Relief Road in Dundalk.
The purchase of the largest of three portions of land was finally approved on Monday, as county councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of selling a nine-acre site to the GAA.
The transfer of the site for a fee of €400,000 had been agreed in early September, but needed the approval of county councillors.
And despite the ensuing three-month delay, Louth GAA remain confident they can open the doors to the 12,000 capacity arena by the end of the summer of 2020.
The six-man committee, spearheaded by county treasurer Aidan Berrill will now turn its attentions toward securing two additional parcels of land, one of which is owned by DkIT, prior to seeking planning permission.
It’s understood the GAA have already discussed then possibility of leasing the DkIT portion of land on a rolling long-term lease, but Mr Berrill revealed that the committee hope to meet with college officials this week to re-visit the issue.
Speaking after the vote passed by 22 votes to 1, with six councillors absent, the Naomh Mairtin clubman revealed that Croke Park’s finance and infrastructure committees are fully behind the project and are particularly happy with the location.
He said the budget of around 8 million still stands, but pledged not to levy clubs to help pay for the development.
However, he warned that fundraising will have to be stepped up in the coming months and years to help defray the cost.
‘I’ve gone on record before to state that a levy will not be imposed and that hasn’t changed. But we can’t rely on Croke Park and government grants to build it, so we have to put our shoulders to the wheel and start fundraising.
‘That might have an effect on club’s own fundraising activities, but this a one-off project that will ultimately benefit everyone involved with Louth GAA.
The proposed stadium will consist of a 4,000 fully seated stand opposite an 8,000 capacity terrace and down the line terrace areas could also be built behind each goal, bringing the capacity to a potential 22,000.
Mr Berill revealed that 11 different sites were assessed, but that he six-man committee came down unanimously in favour of the site next to DkIT Sport, the old Heinz building and Dunnes Stores.