Milestones reached in Páirc Tailteann redevelopment ahead of Open Day

An information day at Navan O'Mahonys GAA club this week offers a two-fold purpose - to provide an update on the Páirc Tailteann stand redevelopment project, as well as offering information on careers in the construction industry, as contractors on the development operate stands with professionals offering insights into work pathways.

Main contractors Sisk are hosting the information day in conjunction with demolition firm, JJ Duffy, engineering and mechanical specialists, King & Moffat, Trimplant machinery operators, and Banagher Precast concrete, as well as Meath GAA. The development of the €21 million stand at the county grounds has reached a number of milestones recently, following the completion of the demolition of the old stand around St Patrick's Day.

The works include the demolition of the existing south stand and terrace and the construction of a new 5,000-seater stand with a precast concrete frame and a lightweight steel roof. The long-span raker beams of the stand will facilitate a clear open concourse beneath. The redevelopment will include the construction of a three-storey building to the rear of the stand, with dressing rooms, meeting and media facilities, and corporate office space, and upgrades to the existing car park and public realm with improved access from Commons Road.

The rubble from the old stand is currently being used on the ground surface to support the pile driving machinery which has been driving 14 metre columns into the ground to support the new stand - a lot of the work is unseen beneath the ground in projects such as these, Aaron Hand, contracts manager with Sisk, who is from Moylagh, says. Blockwork to the substructure of the ancillary three-storey building commences next week, with precast work scheduled to start in July or August. Work began in January following the signing of the contract, and it is anticipated it will be complete by next spring or early summer. There are some 20 people working on site at present, with up to 80 predicted to be employed during a busy period this coming autumn.

The information day on the current project takes place at Navan O'Mahonys from 12 noon to 3pm on Thursday 14th May, with anyone interested in construction or the project welcome, as well as students and school and the local community, where industry professionals and apprentices will be in attendance.