Gaelic Ground-breaking stadium open for business
LIMERICK GAA chiefs are confident the restoration of the Gaelic Grounds will encourage the city's business community to be more supportive in the effort to clear the debt of approximately €5m.
However, County Board Chairman Pat Fitzgerald says the priority is not so much the elimination of the debt, but managing it so it does not interfere with other things to promote the games. In the shorter term, one concern is to protect the playing surface.
"It's important it is minded in 2004. It's in good nick, but we want to get it to the standard of Thurles and Croke Park,'' he said ahead of tomorrow's NHL final between Galway and Waterford.
The redeveloped stadium, with a capacity of close to 50,000 (with 24,000 seats) and costing €12m, was formally opened by Sports Minister John O'Donoghue.
It was a proud day for the many people associated with the stadium's development over the years, which featured the opening of the Mackey Stand in 1988, and for past chairman Donal Fitzgibbon. It was during his term the decision was taken to embark on the project. "It was a decision we had to take. We had no choice but to go ahead,'' he says.
"The reality was the structure on the far side and at both ends had gone into bad disrepair. We had to decide if we would close down the venue, just use it for local championship matches or go the whole hog and redevelop. We went ahead, firstly because the Gaelic Grounds had always been a major stadium in the province and there was no point letting it go to ruin. Secondly, Limerick is a big sporting city and it's going to bring 150,000 people here on an annual basis.''
A Government grant of €1.6m was received through Lotto funding, the Munster Council provided €1.2m and, starting off, the Board had about e1m in reserve.
"We have about €5m borrowed from the bank and we have some creditors the Munster Council owe us e400,000,'' Board Treasurer Paddy Quilligan points out.
"It's going reasonably well. This year we will have a number of big matches, and the rental income will be important.''
An appeal to clubs and individuals for interest-free loans of a €1,000 yielded €920,000. The target was 1,000 members and it only fell short by 80.
Also, County Board membership has increased to 16,300.
"That will bring us in roughly €350,000 a year and go a good bit towards the repayments,'' he said. "The corporate sector has been slow, but we're hoping to progress. There is money coming in, but we have only reached €100,000. We were hoping to raise about four times that amount.
"I wouldn't say the rugby people have been in before us. The Gaelic Grounds has never really gone out to market itself to the business community the way we should.
"The stadium offers great benefits to the business people of Limerick. Maybe it's only now people realise it's there. Hopefully, the situation will improve as more matches come on stream.''
Mr Fitzgerald stresses they have a "fantastic facility", which he hopes will be put to good use, not just from the view of hosting Munster championship and other games, but as "a promotional tool for the youth of the county".
On the debt front, he is optimistic it can be reduced to around €4m this year.
"We have a target and with the cooperation of the clubs we're going to meet it this year,'' he stated.
"We are disappointed with the support we have received from the business sector. It is my intention to proceed firstly, to sell Limerick as a location for people to come and visit, and secondly, to work with the business community to develop support and ensure we raise finance and support for the stadium.
"The big games we get will be very important, particularly in the short to medium term to pay off the debt. In the meantime, the profile of the stadium and the city will be enhanced by the crowds coming and enjoying the atmosphere.''
Fitzgerald is keen to enhance facilities for Mackey Stand patrons. Longer term, he has not ruled out floodlighting.
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