Croke Park is waiting to review elements of the fundraising around Louth’s proposed stadium in Dundalk before committing to the project financially.
The matter was discussed at a Louth county board meeting on Monday night where chairman Peter Fitzpatrick said that “Gaels in Louth deserve more from Croke Park and the GAA” and “beg or borrow, this stadium is going to happen”, reports the Drogheda Independent.
Balbriggan-based firm Ganson has been awarded the stadium contract with the development set to cost €25m, more than double the initial €12m forecast. Indeed, it was reported that Ganson had originally come in at €29m before being whittled down as a result of what county treasurer Aidan Berrill described as “small cutbacks”.
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A total of €18m has already been secured to fund the project and Louth will be relying on funding from Croke Park to make up at least some of the €7m shortfall.
A number of delegates were scathing in their criticism of Croke Park’s reluctance to commit to the development financially as yet amid fears that the burden could be placed on clubs though Fitzpatrick insisted that this would not be the case while claiming that the stadium would go ahead with or without backing from the GAA centrally.
A GAA spokesperson said that they wished to see “certain elements of the fundraising which haven’t been furnished yet” and that correspondence has been issued to Louth outlining their approach.
With costs for the project having already spiralled, Croke Park is keen to carry out due diligence before committing funding, particularly in light of the Pairc Ui Chaoimh redevelopment, which ran way over budget.
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