National Forum

Development of Tuam Stadium

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Not wishing to open up old wounds, but can anyone provide an update on progress re. planned upgrade to Tuam stadium. Has any significant work taken place to date? I think a very important element of the project should include a top class playing surface, and if area is available, to re-configure the pitch to regulation size - 145m by 90m. I have always felt the playing area in Tuam (especially for IC games), to be on the tight side, often limiting the spectacle. Did the committee succeed in acquiring Brownes field? If so, there would be great scope for development of warmup areas.

Really (Galway) - Posts: 594 - 12/08/2017 15:13:22    2032593

Link

Replying To Really:  "Not wishing to open up old wounds, but can anyone provide an update on progress re. planned upgrade to Tuam stadium. Has any significant work taken place to date? I think a very important element of the project should include a top class playing surface, and if area is available, to re-configure the pitch to regulation size - 145m by 90m. I have always felt the playing area in Tuam (especially for IC games), to be on the tight side, often limiting the spectacle. Did the committee succeed in acquiring Brownes field? If so, there would be great scope for development of warmup areas."
Tuam is 142x82.

GDL (Galway) - Posts: 729 - 12/08/2017 16:22:57    2032603

Link

From Facebook.....The Annual General Meeting of the Development Advocates for Tuam Stadium was held recently in The Corralea Court Hotel.
Tommy Varden was re-elected as Chairperson and in his address to the meeting he outlined the situation regarding the commencement of the first phase of the anticipated development. He said that the plan to start the construction of four new dressing rooms was currently awaiting a decision on a grant application for government funding from the Sports Capital Programme and that it was likely that this would be decided in September and once a decision has been reached the process of construction will commence. It is hoped that construction will start in October.
Michael Judge, co-ordinator of the recent fundraising Golf Am/Am, reported on the success of the venture. He thanked St. Jarlath's Credit Union who generously sponsored the outing, Tuam Golf Club, and staff for hosting the event and all the participants for their support for the 'Legends Supporting Tuam Stadium Am/Am'. He was delighted that former 'greats' from football and hurling had shown their support for the development of Tuam Stadium and that teams had come from Mayo, Roscommon, Dublin, Kildare, the Midlands and from Wexford to participate. He said that the venture had raised almost €12,000 for the fund and that it was heart - warming to see such support for the efforts to upgrade and develop Tuam Stadium. He also thanked the media for their coverage, particularly The Tuam Herald, The Connacht Tribune, and Galway Bay FM for the publicity they gave the event.
The outgoing treasurer, John Sheridan, said that he was stepping down as treasurer for personal reasons but that he was anxious to remain as a committee member even though he would not be available to attend meetings for some time. He then gave an extensive report on the fund- raising activities for the year, including Della's Tea Dance, a raffle for sport's books that were sponsored by Murphy's Centra, Dublin Road, the proceeds of the DAFTS Coffee Dock at Tuam Stadium and the recent Golf outing. He said it was very encouraging to see the continued support for their fund-raising efforts even though the development has been delayed due to the need to await a decision from the Sports Capital Scheme. He pointed out that since the foundation of DAFTS that a total of €163,000 had been raised and was now in the DAFTS account.
The election of officers followed and Sean Carter was elected as the new treasurer. He was welcomed to the post by Tommy Varden, who thanked him for his assistance with the recent golf venture and he said he was delighted that a representative of Tuam Rugby Club was joining the committee as it was important that local sporting bodies should support each other.
The meeting welcomed the other returning officers, Padraig Neenan as Secretary, Kevin O'Dwyer as P.R.O. and Pat Potter as Vice-Chairman.

ref (Galway) - Posts: 247 - 12/08/2017 21:41:16    2032654

Link

I would love to see Tuam Stadium developed however the funds I see mentioned above seem very small scale. What is the overall plan for the development? Is it their drawing or models available to view? What type of scale are we talking about?

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1844 - 18/08/2017 14:25:26    2035108

Link

Which is easier to develop: Tuam Stadium or a traffic plan for Pearse Stadium?

baire (Galway) - Posts: 1849 - 18/08/2017 15:22:19    2035126

Link

Replying To baire:  "Which is easier to develop: Tuam Stadium or a traffic plan for Pearse Stadium?"
The fact is, the current state of Tuam Stadium is, or at least should be considered, an embarrassment to all football supporters in Galway with a modicum of pride. I feel the development committee are doing their best, but the scale of the task is too big. Therefore, I think the County Board should now come forward and set out clearly a plan and funding to get this project up and running. Nobody is expecting a project on the scale of Pairc Ui Chaoimh, but the spiritual home of Galway football deserves better than this.

Really (Galway) - Posts: 594 - 18/08/2017 23:55:49    2035283

Link

Replying To Really:  "The fact is, the current state of Tuam Stadium is, or at least should be considered, an embarrassment to all football supporters in Galway with a modicum of pride. I feel the development committee are doing their best, but the scale of the task is too big. Therefore, I think the County Board should now come forward and set out clearly a plan and funding to get this project up and running. Nobody is expecting a project on the scale of Pairc Ui Chaoimh, but the spiritual home of Galway football deserves better than this."
What good was this mythical aura to Galway football when they couldn't beat Leitrim in Tuam Stadium in the mid nineties?

The mere notion that Tuam Stadium has to play a pivotal part in our football life is just nostalgic driven nonsense. Ask yourself is the money better spent on redeveloping an old stadium when there is no real need for it or continued development of underage structures or training centres?

FallenStar (Galway) - Posts: 415 - 19/08/2017 16:46:36    2035356

Link

Replying To FallenStar:  "What good was this mythical aura to Galway football when they couldn't beat Leitrim in Tuam Stadium in the mid nineties?

The mere notion that Tuam Stadium has to play a pivotal part in our football life is just nostalgic driven nonsense. Ask yourself is the money better spent on redeveloping an old stadium when there is no real need for it or continued development of underage structures or training centres?"
If a defeat to Leitrim in the mid 90s is part of your logic for doing nothing with Tuam Stadium it doesn't say much for your argument.

As Really said above, it should be an embarrassment that Tuam Stadium is in the state it currently is.

Ailteoir (Galway) - Posts: 864 - 19/08/2017 19:00:23    2035378

Link

Replying To Ailteoir:  "If a defeat to Leitrim in the mid 90s is part of your logic for doing nothing with Tuam Stadium it doesn't say much for your argument.

As Really said above, it should be an embarrassment that Tuam Stadium is in the state it currently is."
It's just an example. Galway football would be no better off if they played Senior Inter County Championship games in Tuam Stadium in the last 16 years. I say that as a Tuam native. It would be ludicrous to spend significant resources on a stadium that will only ever be an alternative.

FallenStar (Galway) - Posts: 415 - 19/08/2017 20:07:53    2035393

Link

Replying To FallenStar:  "It's just an example. Galway football would be no better off if they played Senior Inter County Championship games in Tuam Stadium in the last 16 years. I say that as a Tuam native. It would be ludicrous to spend significant resources on a stadium that will only ever be an alternative."
I'm not a Tuam man but why shouldn't there be an alternative to Salthill, given what Tuam and the surrounding area have contributed to Galway football. Besides, Salthill isn't exactly a fortress either.

For ludicrous spending decisions, you need look no further than the Mountain South fiasco.

Ailteoir (Galway) - Posts: 864 - 19/08/2017 21:12:38    2035408

Link

Replying To FallenStar:  "What good was this mythical aura to Galway football when they couldn't beat Leitrim in Tuam Stadium in the mid nineties?

The mere notion that Tuam Stadium has to play a pivotal part in our football life is just nostalgic driven nonsense. Ask yourself is the money better spent on redeveloping an old stadium when there is no real need for it or continued development of underage structures or training centres?"
It's not a question of either or, by all means continue investment in coaching. I would compare the diversity of Galway's football catchment area to that of Kerry. Fitzgerald stadium, Killarney, being the better equipped, hosts championship fixtures, however, Austin Stack Park, Tralee, gets most league matches e.g. league match v Mayo last Feb. under lights was a brilliant occasion, with loads of atmosphere, ditto league game v Dublin. Div 1 league fixtures are now being well supported. As Colm O'Rourke recently mentioned league games are becoming more competitive, and so a serious option for supporters, as management teams set out to integrate young talent, and try out different formations. So, I for one would love to see Tuam Stadium set up to cater for such fixtures.

Really (Galway) - Posts: 594 - 19/08/2017 21:16:03    2035412

Link

Whatever the outcome it should be part of a strategic plan. Different groups going around fundraising to upgrade stuff is not the way unless it is coordinated from the top down. If it is to redevelop Tuam so be it. But it should be done right, through the county board.

Match day experience in Salthill is not exactly great. Nearly impossible to get a cup of coffee! Can't seem to get the small things right so I am doubtful something big like this will be don't right either.

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1844 - 21/08/2017 12:01:07    2035936

Link

With the M17 motorway now serving Tuam from the South, surely the County board must now realise the inherent potential in developing the stadium. Galway supporters from as far away as Limerick to the south will now have no hesitation making the trip.. a no brainer..

Really (Galway) - Posts: 594 - 01/10/2017 21:53:49    2052222

Link

Replying To Really:  "With the M17 motorway now serving Tuam from the South, surely the County board must now realise the inherent potential in developing the stadium. Galway supporters from as far away as Limerick to the south will now have no hesitation making the trip.. a no brainer.."
The Dublin to Galway motorway didn't help Duggan Park in Ballinasloe. Flood lights didn't help it either. Or having the best parking facilities of all three pitches. Or the train station being a 5mins walk away at most.

bigpoppapump (Galway) - Posts: 62 - 01/10/2017 22:34:08    2052230

Link

Replying To bigpoppapump:  "The Dublin to Galway motorway didn't help Duggan Park in Ballinasloe. Flood lights didn't help it either. Or having the best parking facilities of all three pitches. Or the train station being a 5mins walk away at most."
Exactly add in the fact it is only six miles from the Leinster boarder and 15 mins drive from the centre of the country
People here cry out about not having floodlights in Pearse stadium and how hard it is to get to yet the Duggan has TV standard lights, parking for literally thousands of cars if needed on its doorstep.
Common sense is what is missing here

grellans89 (Galway) - Posts: 257 - 02/10/2017 12:05:50    2052348

Link

To be fair Tuam is the ideal location. Right in the middle of football heartland and now serviced by the motorway. Obviously would still be a bit of a track from west of the City. But the actual stadium itself is a kip. Really needs to be a proper development driven from County Board. Not small scale stuff.

Pearse stadium is never a pleasant experience. Maybe I am just unlucky but the weather is always terrible, and that affects the football quality too!

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1844 - 02/10/2017 13:36:42    2052379

Link

Duggan Park definitely does not have floodlights strong enough for TV broadcast. Was at the Minor A Football Final played there under lights last year and you could barely make out the players in the corners.

All this talk of redevelopment is pointless anyway. The county board don't look to have two pennies to rub together. For better or for worse, Pearse Stadium is more than likely going to be the home to both county teams in the championship for the forseeable future.

GalwayFancyDans (Galway) - Posts: 75 - 02/10/2017 17:31:58    2052501

Link

Yep, it was tough going waiting for a coffee in Pearse Stadium. Totally ruined my day on July 9th. That and the rain. The result was immaterial....

streaker (Galway) - Posts: 498 - 02/10/2017 18:09:47    2052518

Link

Lads/Ladies Tuam Stadium is a KIP can't understand how health and safety hasn't this placed condemned if you ever have the opportunity to look inside the dressing room's and see the state of them full of mildew ,mould , windows ate with woodworm etc it is revolting when they decided to spend a few pound 10 years ago what did they spend it on only new turnstiles crazy decision ..... Another thing when you look at Parnell Park( and some other inter county grounds) on any occasion either intercounty or club games hurling or football you see kids out with their hurls or footballs at half time what a joy to see and low and behold in Tuam No Way are they allowed if my memory serves me right I think I saw sences like Parnell Park in Pearse Stadium the day of the double header Just Saying !!!!

Yeaman (Galway) - Posts: 26 - 03/10/2017 21:16:53    2052842

Link

Replying To streaker:  "Yep, it was tough going waiting for a coffee in Pearse Stadium. Totally ruined my day on July 9th. That and the rain. The result was immaterial...."
As if the concession services would be any better in Tuam Stadium lol

Then there's the traffic whingers. They didn't care when people from Connemara had longer journeys as long as it didn't affect them. Its unacceptable they have to endure it now.

FallenStar (Galway) - Posts: 415 - 19/10/2017 15:56:57    2056258

Link