Keeping the lights on is a full time job at Carrigoon
LARGE running costs are part of everyday life at a large facility like Mallow’s impressive GAA Complex. Despite all the help received by volunteers and staff it is inevitable that running a facility like the Carrigoon Complex costs money, and lots of it.
Just keeping the lights on in Mallow costs a small fortune with electricity bills averaging out at approximately €160,000 per annum. Add that to €40k for materials required to keep the sand based pitches in tip top shape and you are now definitely in the big leagues.
There is no change out of €300k in Mallow which is a frightening amount for many clubs to even get their collective heads around, never mind having to come up with that amount each year however those responsible for keeping those impressive lights on in Mallow each week manage it well.
Facility manager Liz Foley was celebrating her native Lismore’s triumph in the Munster Intermediate Hurling Final at the complex last Saturday however she was still working hard making sure that the hundreds of fans looking to eat and drink after the clash with Kilmoyley were all being catered for.
“We are so proud to have been chosen to host five of this year’s big six provincial finals. It is an honour to be considered never mind get so many high profile games however I feel it is reward for all the hard work done by the staff and the volunteers throughout the year.
“We try hard to make sure the complex is in tip top shape every day and that seems to be working for us and for the Munster Council. You can see here today all the volunteers that have given up their time to do everything from traffic management, to stewarding but there are also countless hours put in each year to keep the pitches, the bar, the dressing rooms, the gym and all the other facilities in good shape.
“The Complex also boasts a hugely impressive indoor pitch, which thanks to an expensive temporary interlocking indoor floor can be transformed into an exhibition centre catering for 1,000 people seated and many more standing.”
Foley and the on site team have been running an impressive tight ship in Mallow in recent years and thanks to the target standards that they strive for it now appears that Mallow’s GAA Complex is right at the top of its game.