I read this morning that Cork's Pairc Ui Caoimh is going to get this amount of money for redevelopment. Why?

I think that it is going to be the biggest waste of money yet that the gaa have spent, considering that there is little wrong with the stadium in the first place. If toilets etc need to be redeveloped thats fine, but to go mad with tens of millions in this day and age is ridiculous. The only time this stadium is filled is when there is a munster hurling final on in it.

I was at a munster football final there about 5 years ago between cork and kerry. There were about 8,000 at it. I couldnt believe the lack of interest in the game for 2 counties with a combined population of 650,000. And the stadium is going to be redeveloped.

Keep an eye on this years munster final, and consider the value of redeveloping this stadium in the face of the attendance.

Personally I think there is so much that can be done around munster with this money, and should be put to much much better use than throwing money on a facility that does not need redevelopment when it is not being used to its fullest capacity in the first place.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 23/05/2014 11:20:18    1592236

This money should be spent on setting up similar structures now seen in Dublin right across the country

I think it's massively excessive

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 23/05/2014 11:33:12    1592246

Is it a centre of excellence as well though? How many venues are available in Cork for concerts or is that viable?

kevdog (Westmeath) - Posts: 115 - 23/05/2014 11:34:40    1592249

One eye on the rugby world cup bid?

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9132 - 23/05/2014 11:40:48    1592255

I agree with you completely.

Ive been to PuC a few times in the last few years and there is no doubt its in need of a bit of refurbishment, But 70m euros worth. I just dont see the point.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 23/05/2014 11:40:58    1592256

Who makes these decisions?

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 23/05/2014 11:48:01    1592262

kevdog
County: Westmeath
Posts: 63

1592249
Is it a centre of excellence as well though? How many venues are available in Cork for concerts or is that viable?

It depends what exactly a centre of excellence means. If this means a few all weather pitches under floodlights, then thats great, but I think that the term 'centre of excellence' is one of these terms that has crept into our vocabulary and imagination recently to soften us into these ridiculous situations, ie to justify spending 70 million on facilities that can be achieved with several hundred thousand.

I would like to hear the view from a cork person on this, I am sure that they would like to see money better spent.

Good point about the rugby world cup, but are we not a GAA organization? Or is it ok to be gaa when it suits us and otherwise when it suits us better?

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 23/05/2014 11:50:28    1592263

Donegalman
County: All
Posts: 1255

Good point about the rugby world cup, but are we not a GAA organization? Or is it ok to be gaa when it suits us and otherwise when it suits us better?

A significant portion of the money is being provided by the government. Perhaps they had half an eye on the rugby when they decided to stump up the cash. It's not like Cork or the GAA in general are going to look a gift horse in the eye and I guess there's no reason why they should.

Kurt_Angle (Dublin) - Posts: 567 - 23/05/2014 12:10:41    1592276

Firstly Donegalman, you were never at a Cork Kerry Munster final with 8,000 people at it. Never in my lifetime has the crowd at a Cork v Kerry championship match dropped below 20,000. Crowds peaked at 45,000 during the Cork revival in the late 80's early 90's. The took a dip with the arrival of the back door system and other factors including the increase in soccer's popularity.

These days there is usually 30 / 35k in Kilarney and 8-10k less if it is held in Cork. Strangely enough the smaller crowds in Cork are not due to our poor football support but the lack of traveling Kerry fans.

With regard to the redevelopment of Pairc Ui Caoimh. It is in a desperate state. Something is going to have to be done with it one way or another. If it can be turned into a 45k all seater stadium for 70m then that looks like pretty good plan to me. Aside from hosting games it should be a good revenue stream for the Cork to attract concerts etc making it a pretty wise investment. Cork hurlers have a pretu big support, regularly bringing 10k to big league games, a double header with the footballers playing Kerry and the hurlers playing Galway 2 years ago brought 14k. If a small bit of promotion was done an something like the Dubs Spring Series done annually there would be great potential down here.

dahayeser (Cork) - Posts: 337 - 23/05/2014 12:40:56    1592301

Kurt_Angle
County: Dublin
Posts: 84

1592276


A significant portion of the money is being provided by the government. Perhaps they had half an eye on the rugby when they decided to stump up the cash. It's not like Cork or the GAA in general are going to look a gift horse in the eye and I guess there's no reason why they should.




I agree to a point, but it still doesnt make it right. I think that the rugby world cup is hardly going to pass us by just because pairc ui caoimh doesnt have a roof on it. We have got to be balanced about things, and this is not being balanced. If the government looked at the bigger picture, they should be redeveloping by providing training and upgrading facilities in rural and deprived areas, where the game is needed most, and not in a redevelopment of a stadium that would not need a redevelopment rugby world cup or not. Have we learned nothing over the past 10 years?

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 23/05/2014 12:43:38    1592302

'considering that there is little wrong with the stadium in the first place'

Seriously?

RoyalBadger (Meath) - Posts: 571 - 23/05/2014 12:52:12    1592309

The price seems high in this current climate but PUC is in terrible need of redevelopment. Was at the Springsteen concert down there last year and it was embarrassing to be Irish with all the Americans and Europeans who had come over. The stadium is like something out of a concentration camp.

Also the flow of people coming out can get very dangerous. I hope the new stadium is a huge success.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11229 - 23/05/2014 12:52:59    1592311

23/05/2014 11:20:18
Donegalman
County: All
Posts: 1256

I was at a munster football final there about 5 years ago between cork and kerry. There were about 8,000 at it.

A Munster Senior Football Final between Cork and Kerry with only 8,000 at it. Really? What year?

I sincerly doubt it.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 23/05/2014 13:15:31    1592329

I think that it is going to be the biggest waste of money yet that the gaa have spent, considering that there is little wrong with the stadium in the first place

What?? Have you been in Pairc Ui Chaoimh lately?? The terraces and uncovered stand have serious access and egress issues, the seating layout is cramped, uncomfortable and in places downright dangerous. The facilities for players and officials are again cramped and seriously below standard, in my opinion the whole place should be demolished instead of a partial demolition but any improvement is both badly needed and welcomed

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 23/05/2014 13:16:13    1592333

MesAmis
County: Dublin
Posts: 7358



A Munster Senior Football Final between Cork and Kerry with only 8,000 at it. Really? What year?

I sincerly doubt it.

Apologies, it was a semi final 4 or 5 years ago that kerry won by a point. Still, you would expect a lot more at a game of that magnitude. I havnt searched the archives, but i would be very surprised if a munster final in cork would draw more than 20000 people, which hardly justifies the project in the pipeline.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 23/05/2014 13:44:20    1592360

The reason? god knows, of course those in favour will trot out the usual "local jobs etc etc", we've learned nothing.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4896 - 23/05/2014 14:04:02    1592370

Donegalman
County: All
Posts: 1257

Apologies, it was a semi final 4 or 5 years ago that kerry won by a point. Still, you would expect a lot more at a game of that magnitude. I havnt searched the archives, but i would be very surprised if a munster final in cork would draw more than 20000 people, which hardly justifies the project in the pipeline.

You're gonna have to do better than that I'm afraid.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 23/05/2014 14:18:55    1592378

this redevelopment is badly needed if only from a health and safety point of view. Hope the surrounding area around the marina is also redeveloped as part of this plan. Cost does seem a bit excessive but I think that cant be properly judged until the finished project is there to be seen.
Think the argument that its not needed is pure rubbish - outside of the current games played there this it will serve as a great venue to attract top music acts. Also with both Kerry and Cork regularly involved in the AI Football QFs surely 2 quarter finals could be played in Cork on the Aug weekend - cutting down on travel for long suffering supporters.Also an argument that some hurling/football semis could be played in cork which would represent a huge boost to the local economy. Think people need to realise that every big event/game does not need to be staged in Dublin.

blacknamber (Kerry) - Posts: 267 - 23/05/2014 14:50:54    1592398

Mes Amis, dont think so, the point remains the same.

20000 or 10000 is not filling a stadium of 43,000. Pairc Ui Camimh is a fine venue and with some redevelopment to the toilet facilities is plenty good for its purpose.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 23/05/2014 14:54:04    1592403

Donegalman
County: All
Posts: 1258

1592403
Mes Amis, dont think so, the point remains the same.

20000 or 10000 is not filling a stadium of 43,000. Pairc Ui Camimh is a fine venue and with some redevelopment to the toilet facilities is plenty good for its purpose.

Nah, you said that only 8,000 showed up for a Cork/Kerry Championship match. That seems very unlikely imo. I'm just asking you to back up what you claimed.

It shouldn't be too hard for you to do seeing as you were at said match.

I've had a quick look through and I can't see any Cork/Kerry Championship match with an attendance of around 8,000 in the last few years.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 23/05/2014 14:58:42    1592405