Council defers decision on land sale to GAA

A CRUCIAL city council decision on the sale of land to the GAA to help revamp Páirc Uí Chaoimh has been deferred.

The decision was taken at a city council meeting on Monday after Cllr John Buttimer suggested the matter be discussed further at the council’s Planning and Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), which is due to meet in June.

The issue was discussed on Monday following the presentation of a report by city manager Joe Gavin on Cork County Board’s request that the city council dispose to them almost 13 acres of land at the Showgrounds, which surrounds the stadium.

The city council acquired the land following a Compulsory Purchase Order.

The GAA wants the land to refurbish and enlarge the stadium, develop a 308-space surface car park, provide new meeting and function rooms, and provide a second playing pitch and warm-up area.

But Mr Gavin said while the city supports the need to upgrade and modernise the stadium, there are difficulties around disposing of this amount of land to the GAA.

A report from the head of the city’s DocklandsDirectorate says the sale of 13 acres would not be in the interest of protecting public assets and that the land was needed to provide park space in the docklands.

Mr Gavin also pointed out that the cost to the GAA of acquiring the land on a pro rata basis would be €6.7 million.

And, he said, subject to funding, the upgrading and modernisation of the stadium can be achieved without the acquisition of land for a second playing pitch.

He instead sought council approval to dispose of a portion of land known as Marina Hall, which is located under the stadium stand, for €100,000.

He also sought council approval to dispose of another 15-metre wide “circulation strip”, totalling some 6,711 square metres, and which runs right around the stadium, for €863,650.

He said this was important from an insurance and safety viewpoint.

He said if the GAA is not in a position to proceed with the purchase at this stage, a temporary convenience letting could be arranged. The strip of land would then be separated by a railing.

Talks on the issue took place in City Hall last week involving GAA president Christy Cooney, county board chairman, Jerry O’Sullivan, secretary Frank Murphy, Lord Mayor Cllr Dara Murphy, and the city manager.

Mr Murphy said it is the ambition of all the people of Cork to see Páirc Uí Chaoimh redeveloped.

It is understood the Strategic Policy Committee will examine the possibility of providing a GAA pitch in the Showgrounds that would remain in city ownership but could be used by the County Board when required.