ProuddayforGAAas Parksettore-open

June 2001

The moment which Gaelic Games followers have waited patiently for will arrive on Saturday next, when the re-vamped Wexford Park opens its doors to the public.

The senior footballers of Wexford and Westmeath will have the distinction of playing the first game in the main county ground since it underwent a major refurbishment programme at a total cost of £3.25 million.

Wexford Park closed for development work in March 1997, and a big crowd is expected on Saturday next when competitive action resumes there at 7 p.m.

History will be made in more ways than one, as Saturday’s game will be the first-ever for Wexford in the newly-introduced All-Ireland qualifying series.

There was delight all round on Sunday evening last when Ger Halligan’s side came out first from the hat and were pitted against Westmeath, who were pipped by Meath in Croke Park earlier that day (2-12 to 1-14).

Plans for Saturday’s game were kick-started immediately, and several meetings were staged in Wexford Park on Bank Holiday Monday to ensure that the venue would be in the best possible shape for the large crowd expected.

The development has increased the stadium capacity to 25,000, with the centrepiece being the magnificent new stand on the Corish Park side, which can seat 5,000 spectators.

Other notable features of the development including a running track surrounding the pitch, which is suitable for team training; a state-ofthe-art gymnasium, which is already in full use; modern changing facilities for teams and match officials, and purpose-built management and administration offices under the main stand.

It may have been a long time coming, but all involved feel the new Wexford Park was worth the wait.