Mayo GAA clubs will not be levied for proposed €4m. centre
MAYO GAA County Board plans to develope a new €4m five-pitch Centre of Excellence will not be funded by the clubs in the county, the treasurer of the county board Kevin O'Toole, has told The Connaught Telegraph.
Although plans to develop the Centre of Excellence are still very much in their infancy, the county board has identified a 22-acre site between Balla and Kiltimagh which would be suitable for such a project.
However, before any more progress can be made on the proposed project, the county board have to meet with Croke Park regarding funding for the development.
Mr. O'Toole said this meeting will take place on Friday night between Mayo County Board officials and members of the finance committee in Croke Park.
Said Mr. O'Toole: “This proposed major development is very much in its infancy yet and a lot of work has to be done before we can have any thoughts of preceeding further.
“For a start funding from Croke Park will be needed if it is going to be possible to go ahead with the project.
'Next Friday night officials of the county board will be in Dublin to meet members of the finance committee in Croke Park to discuss funding for such a project. Without getting funding from Croke Park any such development will not be possible.
“Speaking of funding let me assure you that the clubs in the county will not be levied if this proposed development does go ahead.
'Indeed, at present the clubs in the county pay an average of €5,500 to the county board. This we hope to bring down by €1,000 this year and €2,000 next year. These figures are based on percentage receipts from club championship gates.
“If funding for such a development became available the county board would first have to meet with the residents who live around the proposed development site at Creggagh, which is situated between Kiltimagh and Balla.
“Some may ask why such a development is neccessary seen that we have training facilities at the back of MacHale Park.
'The truth of the matter is we don't really have the training facilities that are so badly needed to cater for all the teams in the county.
'We need training pitches for the county football and hurling senior teams, Under 21 and minor, underage developments squads or a ladies Gaelic football training pitch. It is just a much-needed facility that is now required.
“There is one other thing should such a development progress, it will have to be self financed and self substaining”, concluded Mr. O'Toole.