Louth GAA has announced that plans to develop a new stadium are back on track, with the project to be carried out over two phases at a cost of €23.5m (£19.8m/$25.4m).
The project stalled last summer amid concerns over funding, with the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)’s Central Council instructing Louth GAA to halt plans to start construction.
Work on the 14,000-capacity stadium, which will be located on the Inner Relief Road in Dundalk, had been due to commence last July but concerns over a potential budget shortfall of around €7m led to the delays.
Louth GAA announced yesterday (Wednesday) that the development is “back on track” following weeks of negotiations.
The first phase of the project will include the construction of a seated stand, floodlights, entrance and exits, and the playing pitch. The capacity after the first phase will be 7,000, which will then be doubled following the completion of the second phase.
Louth GAA confirmed that a project manager has been appointed and begun the process of finding a design team. The capacity will not be reduced from the previous plans, and the design is also set to be the same as originally planned.
The GAA and the government will provide the majority of the funding, with the remainder being provided by Louth GAA through various fundraising initiatives. According to local news outlet LMFM, Louth GAA is expected to contribute €5.2m, with the government and GAA to provide the bulk of the sum, totalling €18.25m.
The first phase will cost €13.5m, with the second phase costing €10m. No timeline for the construction has been given.
Final approval for the project was granted in January 2023, at which point the budget was €19m. Plans were first proposed in December 2018 and planning permission was initially granted in September 2020.
Louth GAA currently plays its home matches at the 3,500-seat Drogheda Park.
