Páirc Táilteann re-development up and running

The re-development of Páirc Táilteann took a tentative step forward at tonight's Co Board meeting in Dunganny agreement was reached on submitting a planning application to Meath Co Council.

The matter was discussed in detail at last month's development meeting at Dunganny when it was agreed to proceed with a €9 million upgrading of Pairc Tailteann.

The immediate objective is to cover the costs of the €300,000 required to get the project to the planning permission stage.

'There is no intention to increase the current levies that we impose on clubs for this project, but we will have to source extra finance through a series of one-off levies, donations and draws,' stated Co Board treasurer Jim Mullery.

'Meath Co Board looked at the model other counties have adopted to get an idea of what we could do.

'Louth clubs contribute €2,000 annually while Monaghan clubs are levied €300 per month while Kildare clubs pay from €1,750 to €2,250 depending on the grade while the Kildare ladies contribute an annual fee of €10,000 for use of the Hawkfield facility.

'Tyrone Co Board set up a Patrons Scheme where 250 individuals signed up for €1,000 annually while Club Tyrone, the supporters club, recruited 500 members to contribute €500 per year,' he added.

At a Co Board finance meeting last week it was decided to set the first phase in place to generate the required €300,000 to complete the planning application process.

'We considered a number of options including levies and draws and the recommendation is a €100 ticket draw with each club to sell a minimum of 60 tickets with any surplus sales retained by the club,' stated Mullery.

'The second option is for each club to source five interest free €1,000 loans repayable from 2022 - 2027 while a third option is for each club to source 50 donors to contribute €100 each as a once-off payment.

'Pairc Tailteann needs to be developed and it is our view that Meath GAA supporters will get behind this.

'We are asking the clubs to get behind this and a positive response is likely from club members and also from Meath supporters who may not be members of clubs in your area,' he concluded.

A number of delegates spoke in favour of the Pairc Tailteann re-development including Joe O'Brien (Skryne), Michael Heery (St Brigid's) and Barney Allen (Rathkenny).

Details of the initial phase will be sent to clubs tomorrow according to Co Board secretary Francis Flynn.