REDEVELOPMENT OF ST. CONLETH’S PARK
The long-awaited redevelopment of the Kildare GAA Grounds in Newbridge took a major step forward today with the signing of a contract with The Elliott Group for the reconstruction of St. Conleth’s Park. Construction will commence on Monday March 27th next and will continue for a period of 18 months. The Grounds will be completely closed during construction and reopening is anticipated in time for the County Finals of 2024.
The Project includes the complete demolition of the existing stand and dressing room block to be replaced by a new entrance plaza, a new 3000 seat stand which will house dressing rooms, officials changing rooms, Club Kildare Lounge, multi-purpose rooms and shops. The pitch will have state of the art floodlighting and the full capacity of the newly developed Grounds is expected to be circa 15,000.
The pitch redevelopment will include relaying of the playing surface, installation of an irrigation system and extension/widening of the pitch dimensions to 145m x 85m.
The Project is being grant supported by the Government’s Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), GAA Central Council and GAA Leinster Council. The balance of the funding is being provided by Kildare GAA through its own resources, borrowings from Bank of Ireland and a €4m contribution through the Government’s IIP Scheme.
Mick Gorman, Kildare GAA Chairperson, said ‘’It is a momentous day for County Kildare. We have been working on this Project for several years and have encountered many obstacles and delays compounded by Covid and rising inflation. We have persevered and have finally succeeded in achieving this significant milestone. This will be a major step forward for Kildare GAA and also for the town of Newbridge.’’
Darragh Elliott, Managing Director of The Elliott Group, said ‘’We are really excited at taking on this signature Project for Kildare GAA and are looking forward to mobilising on March 27th. We look forward to working with the Design Team and with the Kildare GAA officials to ensure that we produce a County GAA Grounds to be a source of pride for all Lilywhites’’
Notes to the Editors
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- The main contract with the Elliott Group is for €12.9m plus VAT.
- The Design Team led by Donnachadh O Brien of Donnachadh O Brien & Associates Naas, Civil & Structural Engineers includes Coady Architects from Dublin, Carron + Walsh, Quantity Surveyors Dublin & Waterford and Galileo Energy Services, Mechanical & Electrical Consultants from Celbridge
- The final game in St. Conleth’s Park before work begins will be the National League game between Kildare and Meath on Sunday March 26th .
- All further queries to Lorraine O Connor, PRO Kildare GAA by email kildare@gaa.ie
By lorraineoconnor Thu 2nd Mar
