Moving the goalposts
Widespread speculation on the move forced Kerry GAA chiefs into a public statement yesterday on their move from Austin Stack Park to a greenfield site close to the town.
It has emerged that the racecourse at Ballybeggan Park, just outside the town, is pivotal to the proposal, with the possibility of a multi-purpose development being located there, featuring enhanced racing facilities, a purpose-built GAA stadium and possibly a new greyhound track.
The latter element would necessitate the sale of the Irish Greyhound Board's existing track facilities and nine acres at Oakpark in Tralee, a prime residential area which would be expected fetch up to €6 million for property development.
However in a statement yesterday, the Ballybeggan Park company stressed that it had received "no written proposals" from the Kerry County Board or any other party to put to their shareholders on any potential development.
Sources close to the negotiations have revealed that a consortium of leading businessman are preparing a package for Kerry GAA chiefs on the "purchase" of Austin Stack Park for property and retail development.
The adjoining John Mitchels GAA club grounds would also be involved in the deal, though alternative accommodation would have to found for the famed Mitchels club, close to Tralee town.
The depopulation of the Boherbee area of Tralee is threatening its survival, and the club is said to favour a move to the burgeoning Manor area close by.
Any agreement between the business consortium and the Kerry County Board would have to provide the GAA with an alternative turnkey stadium development with a similar 15,000 capacity to Austin Stack Park.
Though the racecourse in Tralee has up to 100 acres, the feasibility of incorporating horse racing, greyhound racing and a major GAA stadium on site is open to debate.
Sources say that while joint racing and greyhound facilities makes sense the prototype is already up and running in Dundalk the GAA element will prove problematic.
Initial discussions between the parties have taken place, though nothing has been formalised yet in terms of a written proposal for discussion.
All proposals to Ballybeggan would have to be agreed by its shareholders. Without their agreement, the deal is stillborn as the GAA cannot move from Austin Stack Park without an alternative.
GAA chiefs have expressed ongoing concern at the lack of development and parking options around Austin Stack Park, and they favour moving to a new location. Similar difficulties are being experienced by county boards in Clare (Cusack Park, Ennis) and Cork (Páirc Uí Chaoímh).
Said Kerry County Board chairman Sean Walsh: "We have tentative proposals in relation to the current site at the Austin Stack Park with a view to a total relocation of our facilities to a greenfield site.
"That is all we have at the moment and that is all I want to say on the matter until we have definite recommendations to put to the board."
Mr Walsh added that because the adjacent John Mitchels facilities were for sale, a consortium of developers had expressed an interest in Austin Stack Park.
"It is in this context that we have been approached to see would be interested in selling and relocating elsewhere. That would mean everything, including the offices, but it very early days yet."
He explained: "It's the way things are going with grounds within urban areas these days. Moving would afford you more space, you would probably have two or three pitches with a new stadium and new office block. We are very caught for space where we are, between the railway and the John Sheehy Road.
"While we are going nowhere yet, we are going to look at all the options and if its for the betterment of the Kerry GAA, we will consider it."
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