Construction of New Field is completed (August 2014)

The club is delighted to announce that the construction works associated with the new playing field are now significantly complete. It is a full-size GAA playing field constructed to the highest standard by Coopers Sports of Portlaoise. This development has come about due to vision and drive of the Executive Committee, the hard work of committee members, the support of The Sports Capital Fund, Munster Council and of course the local fund-raisers and contributions. It is hoped that the field will be playable in late 2015 / early 2016.

Ballina GAA Club has completed a deal to buy land adjoining the current site for the purposes of a second playing field. This was what the club had worked towards since the EGM gave their unanimous backing to the project in November 2010.

Deal to Buy New Field is completed (December 2011)

Since that date, committee members have worked tirelessly to complete the preparatory steps which will ensure that the planning process is concluded shortly and without any issues. It was also necessary to ensure that the club had sufficient financial support from our subscribers and from the bank. Confirmed on Saturday December 3rd 2011, it came after many years of pain-staking work.

Ní neart go cur le chéile !

The Progress

The club held an Extraordinary General Meeting on November 5th last to decide on the purchase of land to the west of the existing field.

The proposal brought to the meeting was to purchase 3.3 acres of land for €280,000 (subject to planning permission). This was the outcome of almost five years of negotiations with the landowner which overcame a number of obstacles including those related to planning and zoning, appropriate area and layout, and, of course, purchase price. The land area agreed is equivalent to the area of the Ogonnelloe GAA club field which is the home club of the vendor.

The meeting, which was well attended, discussed the proposal in detail. Sarah Devane, the club Chairperson, presented the case for the purchase, which had previously received unanimous support from the Club Executive. There was strong agreement that the club badly needed the new field for the expanding playing numbers and that the proposed location was the best option. The possibility of alternative land being available at a lower cost in the parish was discussed but it was pointed out that any savings in purchase price would be offset out by having to develop and run facilities in two different locations. This second location would mostly be outside the general urban area which may also have presented planning problems. It was recognised by the meeting that proceeding with the purchase and development of the land presents a huge challenge for the club in terms of meeting the financial commitments required to complete the deal. When put to a vote, the proposal was passed unanimously. This was a historic night for the club and one which gives us the confidence to plan for a bright future.

Thank you for supporting Ballina GAA club. Your generosity allows the club to continue developing.