Pearse Stadium reinstated

Pearse Stadium is being returned to its former glory by Galway County Board, with more than a little help from JSL (Stewart) Group Ltd.

Early next year, a brand new, modern 34,000-capacity stadium (including an 8,000 seater stand) will open in Salthill.

This will be the largest sports venue anywhere in the west of Ireland and its completion will mean that once more competitive football, hurling and camogie can be staged in the western capital.

The old pitch has been completely excavated, replaced by a specially-constructed new surface, using modern methods of pitch-laying to create one of the finest playing surfaces in the country. Other facilities include: four large dressing rooms, two warm-up areas, a medical room as well as a high degree of comfort for spectators (including wheelchair access and a generous number of ladies and gents toilets).

This development is seen as being immensely important to a city regarded as one of the cultural capitals of Europe. Whereas previously the GAA had no real presence in the fastest-growing city in western Europe, it will now have a very powerful one. Not only will a large number of high-profile matches be staged in the new Pearse Stadium . . . many of them will be televised live by RTE (with an average viewership of 500,000) in addition to television coverage from TG4, TV3 and impending Galway station GTV.

JSL (Stewart) Group Ltd. is the main contractor on this historic development, an apt choice considering that the company - formerly known as James Stewart Ltd. - built the original Pearse Stadium back in 1957 when they handled all the terracing, seating arrangements, changing rooms, toilets etc.
JSL (Stewart) Group Ltd. is a third-generation family business which celebrates its 100th year in the building trade to coincide with the opening of the new Pearse Stadium [2002].

Managing Director Sean Stewart explains how the seeds were sown for the company’s genesis: “My grandfather started building in Galway as a sole trader in 1902 and the business was then incorporated into James Stewart Ltd. in 1935 by his three sons who had it registered as a limited liability company.

Since then it has simply gone from strength to strength, mainly due to its professionalism and versatility as well as a rigid adherence to principles of quality and safety. As Sean notes: “As a building contractor, you have to be able to build virtually everything and anything and if you do it to a high standard with good cost control, then you will have satisfied customers.

“Quality is a very important trait and it has been handed down from my grandfather to my father and in turn to me.

We believe in doing a job:
- on time
- to budget
- safely
- and to the highest possible quality.

“In terms of safety, we strive at all times to run safe sites and to ensure that all our workers use every facility we make available to them to make sure that absolutely no risks are taken.”

How was the Pearse Stadium contract secured? It basically went out to tender and we gave the lowest quotation,” says Sean. “Of course, it’s not just a matter of quoting the lowest price for the job - you have to have proven ability to carry off the job to the highest possible standards.

“We would be renowned for our expertise in building grandstands. We completed the prestigious ‘Millennium Stand’ at Ballybrit [Galway Racecourse] within a tight timeframe, within budget and to the client’s satisfaction. We then went on this year to finish the racecourse underpass.”

Indeed, the company has been responsible for some of the finest buildings decorating the Galway landscape. Other landmark jobs completed by JSL over the years include the diving tower on the end of Galway promenade in 1950, Colaiste Einne, St Anthony’s (now owned by NUIG) in the 1930s, and Cluain Mhuire (now GMIT), not to mention - more recently - the Galway Motor Park; Galway Business Park; apartment and hotel development, Woodquay, Galway; Galway Technology Centre (phases I and II); and new office development, IDA Business Park, Parkmore East, Galway.

The firm also built the original Norwich Union building which is now The Galway Advertiser offices, the VHI and the Ulster Bank (all in Eyre Square), to name but a few.

They also travel quite a bit to undertake work outside the county and have been everywhere from Bunbeg in Donegal as far south as Ballyferriter in Kerry. At the moment, they’re working on projects in Dublin, Moate, Killina and Carlow.

In media, JSL (Stewart) Group Ltd. built the first Radio Na Gaeltachta studios in Donegal and Galway as well as the TG4 head offices and production station, which won a number of prestigious architectural awards.

“We also undertook to both design and build the clubhouse at Galway Golf Club, which was opened last year and was also a huge success,” notes the Managing Director. “We’ve done work on the Aran Islands going back to the 1920s. More recently, we built most of the reservoirs on the islands, including a five-an-a-half-million-gallon reservoir on Inishmore, which is being completed just now.”

Such is the company’s standing and reputation for excellence that a large degree of the work is repeat business, earned on the strength of previous jobs which have kept their expansive clientele more than happy.

The new Pearse Stadium is guaranteed to be an impressive edifice. Only the very best have been enlisted to work on it. Alongside JSL are Noel Farrell (quantity surveyor), OKM (architects and structural design) and Kyne & Clyne (electrical and mechanical engineers). The team remains very much on course for an early 2002 finish, with the steelwork due to begin next month.

As a Galway man, Sean Stewart is naturally looking ahead to the All-Ireland football final. He notes: “Even though I’d have to admit to being a bit more partial to hurling, I follow the football as well and am delighted to see Galway in the final yet again. They were very impressive in the latter stages of the semi-final but will have to improve further if they’re to beat Meath.

“They’re an enigmatic team, tending to play in bursts. The comeback spirit they demonstrated against Derry was superb and the fact that they have quality subs who can come off the bench and give them a lift is a major plus. John O’Mahony is a fabulous motivator and he’ll have them fired up for the final.”