Seats and dugouts removed as construction gets underway

After so many false dawns, obstacles, incidents, wars, pandemics and economic downturns the development of a new stand in Páirc Tailteann is finally underway this week with contractors Sisk taking control of the site and commencing soft demolition.

It is over a decade since it was agreed that a new stand was necessary in Páirc Tailteann. Elaborate plans for a 21,000 seater stadium were proposed, but quickly shelved as it became obvious such lofty ambitions were unrealistic.

The outbreak of Covid, the war in Ukraine and several other economic factors conspired to drive up costs and subsequently delay progress in the development plans, but the last six months have been like a speed train in comparison to the previous 10 years.

Approval to go ahead from Croke Park, funding secured from Large Scale Infrastructure Funds and overseas investors and tenders approved led to contract signings in Páirc Tailteann last week.

And now, just a couple of days after the ink has dried on the contracts, work is underway on the soft demolition of the old stand which will see the seating removed, the pressbox disassembled and the inside of the structure gutted.

The roof will have to be carefully removed before the wrecking ball is let loose and once all that is done then the construction of the new 5,000 seater stand that will run from endline to endline will commence.

Once all that is completed the new high quality floodlights will be erected and the new look Páirc Tailteann could be ready in time for Meath's first game in the Leinster SFC in 2027 with that year’s county finals pencilled in.