Proposed Mayo GAA €15m COE gets green light from club delegates

MAYO COE: A proposed Mayo GAA Centre of Excellence to be based in Bohola has been backed by the club delegates.  Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

A proposed Mayo GAA Centre of Excellence to be based in Bohola has been backed by the club delegates.

The proposed COE would include five full size pitches (one astroturf pitch), with a possibility for a sixth, a 20,000sq. foot clubhouse with dressing rooms, gym, medical rooms, offices and video analysis facilities.

There will be a seated spectator stand alongside the main pitch with a car park to house approximately 250 parking spaces and will include an overflow parking area. The project is estimated to cost €15million.

Mayo GAA have been working over the last eight months on the viability of building the facility in Bohola having carried out site investigations.

Numerous meeting have taken place with the stakeholders and last Wednesday night the Mayo County Board made a presentation to the club delegates.

Quantity Surveyor Paul Hickey, who is also an Eastern Gales member, gave a video presentation of the project to the delegates and answered questions in relation to the proposed development.

As reported in the Western People Mayo GAA chairman Seamus Tuohy said that a fundraising plan for the project will be put to delegates at the next county board meeting in two weeks time and added that state funding will also be required.

Following a debate among the delegates it was stressed that the funding cannot fall back onto the clubs. The delegates passes the motion to begin the process of appointing a contractor to get planning permission for the project.