Stadium of might

The redevelopment of Croke Park has transformed the spiritual home of gaelic games into a modern day phenomenon. Even today the half finished stadium exudes presence and when it is finished the new stadium will be simply awesome.

Croke Park is already considered one of the finest stadiums in Europe and when the final touches are put into this 80,000 seater stadium it will be even more impressive.

Seamus Monahan & Partners, Chartered Quantity Surveyors and Construction Project Managers, first became involved with the redevelopment project back in 1990. Initially the brief was for Quantity Surveying services only. However, given the immense scale of this flagship project, it was quickly established that a dedicated project management team was essential to ensure the smooth running of the project. SMP were appointed to fulfil this role in 1991 and since then Chris Gogarty and his team have worked hard in bringing this project through to completion.

As Project Managers SMP are responsible for co-ordinating all aspects of this ambitious project. The Project Management team act as the main point of contact between the GAA administration and the rest of the project team. By working closely with the Association, SMP establishes the precise requirements of the GAA and communicates these requirements to the architects, engineers and contractors. Furthermore our aim is to ensure that these requirements are met in terms of budget and programming” notes Chris.

One of the most challenging aspects of this project is the fact that the stadium must remain in use throughout the redevelopment. With Croke Park very much in demand each summer, all works must be carried out in a manner which fits in with the heavy games schedule. “Due to this factor,” explains Chris, “the programmes tend to run from the end of one years All-Ireland to the commencement of the following years championship. For example, work began on the Hogan Stand after last years All-Ireland finals and we now have a substantial part of the lower tier available for this year’s finals.”

While also acting as Quantity Surveyors for the project, SMP takes responsibility for the cost of the entire construction project from start to finish. This includes the administration of the tender process, right through to managing the on going costs and bringing the project in on budget.

Initially the project was perceived as a step by step process rather than a continuous one. However, with government assistance, the GAA have been able to step up the momentum to a stage where the Hogan Stand commenced prior to the completion of the Canal End.

Phase one (the Cusack Stand) was completed on programme and within budget. In fact the original target for the first year was exceeded. The plan was to have the one tier of seats ready for the All-Ireland semi-finals in 1994 but in fact 10,000 seats were available for the Leinster football finals that year.
According to Chris, phase 2 (the Canal End) has not progressed as smoothly due to a number of factors beyond SMP’s control. Delays were caused by a series of industrial disputes last year which when compounded with the scarcity of resources within the industry at present means that the completion of the Canal End is behind schedule.

Phase 3 (the Hogan Stand) began in October and is progressing well with a substantial part of the lower tier available for this years All-Ireland finals. This phase is scheduled for completion by the end of 2001.
The final phase, the Northern End, is still at the early design stage. This will be the most difficult phase given the proximity of the railway line and the general shape of the available ground. At present the stadium has been designed in a horseshoe shape with the Hill left as an uncovered area. Options for this area are still under consideration.

Seamus Monahan & Partners, Chartered Quantity Surveyors, was established in 1961 and expanded rapidly to establish a reputation as one of the leading building cost consultancy practices in the country. In response to a demand from existing clients SMP developed a separate Construction Project Management Consultancy in the late 1980’s.

SMP have a wide and varied client base and have expertise in a wide range of construction projects. Recent projects include Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, the new TV programmes building at RTE, TG4 studios and transmission network and office developments at Sandyford and Blanchardstown. Other notable leisure projects include acting as Quantity Surveyors for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road for the IRFU in the early eighties.

Obviously, the Croke Park redevelopment is one of the biggest projects, which the company has worked on to date in terms of scale and complexity. “This is a major project with a very high profile and we are very proud to be involved,” Chris points out. “SMP are involved in a wide range of other projects both big and small and we dedicate the same enthusiasm and professionalism to all of our clients.”

“SMP look forward to continuing our now long standing relationship with the GAA in the future, but for now we are concentrating on completing the current phases in Croke Park” says Chris. “It’s a marvellous project for the GAA and I have huge admiration for the Association for having the vision and confidence to proceed with such a major undertaking and to do so successfully. They have led the way in terms of stadium redevelopment in this country and when Croke Park in complete they will be seen to have led the way in the UK and Europe as well. In terms of the architecture and design, Croke Park can match any stadium I’ve seen anywhere in the world.

Amazingly the dream is fast on its way to becoming a reality. However, before that is finally accomplished, Chris Gogarty and the entire project team will be spending another couple of long summers in Croke Park. Someone’s gotta do it.