The Darver Project committee will shortly be launching a fundraising drive throughout the county in order to complete the impressive centre of excellence and have it completely paid for within the next three years. By James Rogers. The men behind the project - Brendan Carthy, Pat Toner, Paddy McMahon, Colm Marry and Seamus Kirk TD - hope to raise half a million per year over the next three years. A special presentation night in the Fairways Hotel recently revealed that the total cost of Darver to date was Eu4,550,000, which had so far covered the cost of five floodlit sand-based pitches, one floodlit synthetic pitch, the 1.5km Sli na Slainte exercise trail and the engineered sprint hill. With the expected cost of the centre of excellence expected to reached Eu6 million, that leaves a further Eu1,450,000 to be raised. This will hopefully lead to the completion of the clubhouse by Easter next year. This will be a two storey building on 18,000 sq ft of land, incorporating 12 changing rooms, a hydro-massage area, physio/medical rooms, match officials rooms, a gym, administration offices, meeting rooms, a media room, a museum and kitchen and dining areas. The outstanding figure will also see the Sli na Slainte trail upgraded to a Wellness Trail by Easter of next year and complete external siteworks by September 2010. It is also hoped to add additional recreational proposals to the project by September 2013. These would include the likes of a life trail, an exercise trail, an outdoor gymnasium, a playground and a sensory garden. At present the operating cost of Darver is roughly Eu90,000 but it is hoped that this figure can be offset through rental income and revenue generated from pitch-side advertising. While further details of all fundraising proposals will be revealed in a specially convened meeting in the coming weeks, it is known that a special brochure has been put together seeking donations ranging from Eu250 to Eu5,000. Taking tax into account, however, means that a lot more will go to the clubhouse. For instance, if you pay tax at the rate of 41% then a donation of Eu1,000 will actually be worth Eu1,694.92 to the project. As well as other fundraising ideas such as raffles and race nights it is hoped that this will generate the Eu0.5 million a year required to complete the project with Darver committee member Brendan Carthy pointing to the huge success of OgSport Lu at the venue as evidence of how much the project has benefited the GAA in Louth already. He said: "The huge success of Ogsport Lu has at long last halted the downward descent of football in Louth had and it was now on the way back up and climbing rapidly. "There is an astonishing amount of activity at underage level between six and 13. But aside from being busy, there is a sense and a logic to it. Ogsport fully embraces the concept of player development particularly through small-sided games. Smaller numbers are used to ensure plenty of ball contact for all involved. "An Ogsport Lu Blitz in Darver sees almost 500 kids being provided with football over a 90 minute period on a given night. It also involves about 80 club coaches and attracts parents, and grandparents as well as other siblings. "Yes, we do get traffic jams on occasions but is this not a good problem to have? I can think of a host of organisations, some of which are professionally run, that would love to be able to say they have a problem controlling the numbers of people trying to get in." The Roche Emmets clubman thanked the Louth Gaels for all their help in getting Darver to where it is at present but encouraged everyone to now make the final push to help the committee complete the project. "In terms of finishing the project we need a drive now to get us over the finishing line," said Carthy. "The people of this county have been very good so far in the support they have provided. They see that the Centre is all-inclusive, not just for the elite. They see the benefit to clubs, schools and colleges. "Sure, there was some apprehension and nervousness out there in the early days but people are coming forward now wanting to play their part, wanting to be seen as part of the team that built Darver. "With their help and assistance the GAA in Louth can look forward to the completion of the Clubhouse at Easter 2009," he said. A launch of the fundraising brochure for the project will take place in the Fairways on Monday November 10 at 5pm. Mr Séamus Howlin, Chairman of the Leinster GAA Council will launch the event. To get involved with the Darver Project or to make a donation contact any of the following: Paddy McMahon (087-2871121), Pat Toner (087-2592422), Seamus Kirk TD (042-9331032) or Colm Marry (087-2455984). Tweet

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