After a recent visit to Thomond Park in Limerick I began wondering would it be possible to develop our own beloved Pairc Tailteann into a similar stadium. Thomond has a capacity of 26,000, while PT has about 30,000 so we're not talking vastly different stadium sizes. There isn't a need to increase capacity but I think it's only right we have a stadium that's comfortable for all patrons. It should have new seats with a roof over everyone's head, clean facilities, food stalls, bars, plenty of parking, conference rooms and other forms of hospitality. Let's face it, you're not going to get much of an atmosphere at games if people have to spend most of their energy on trying to keep warm and dry. There's also the opportunity for improved changing, physio and training facilities. In regards the financial side of things, Thomond cost E40m to redevelop. I know this would be a hell of a burden on Meath GAA but that's not to say we have to spend the same amount. But redevelopment provides opportunities for new ways of generating revenue. I've noticed in England in some new stadiums of smaller clubs they built retail units on the site of their stadium which they rent out, generating more revenue. A similar idea might work well at PT. There's potential to even develop a street connecting the Commons rd to Railway street that could have retail units all owned by Meath GAA. The car park would be open for parking during the day for shoppers as well. You could also have a gym there as well which would be of benefit to the teams as a commercial endeavor. And before you say it, I'm well aware there's a recession in full swing at the moment, I'm not suggesting this should happen today, tomorrow or the next day. But whenever things pick up again. Would it be worthwhile? Or should we focus our efforts elsewhere. into clubs? Too much of a risk?

LoyalRoyal (None) - Posts: 465 - 22/12/2009 13:52:25    520571

yeh it would be risky.. IF ITS NOT BROKE LEAVE IT ALONE..

flyer (Meath) - Posts: 815 - 22/12/2009 15:20:59    520664

It is kind of broke though flyer

dammon (Meath) - Posts: 1291 - 22/12/2009 19:33:34    520897

To be fair flyer, Pairc Tailteann is not in the best shape.

LoyalRoyal (None) - Posts: 465 - 22/12/2009 22:08:37    521019

A new stand should be a priority at least.

mickey fluther (Meath) - Posts: 94 - 23/12/2009 09:45:50    521190

When Barney Allen took over as chairman, he said his priority was redeveloping Navan. Dunganny had been started at this stage so he was moving his focus to Navan. He even spoke about it in the County Final program that year. But since then there hasnt been a word, so wether its been worked on silently in the background or the economic downturn has put an end to it I dont know, but there had been talk of it!

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6347 - 23/12/2009 11:29:02    521236

Loyal Royal.
Your aspirations are laudable but unfortunately they require broad minds, which I feel, are lacking at the level required to progress such a proposal. If there were broad minds in the right places these proposals should be developed with all the necessary preparation work completed for when the economy is rejuvenated.

pqs (Meath) - Posts: 16 - 23/12/2009 11:31:42    521238

It wouldn't be necessary to spend anything like €40M on Pairc Tailteann. I haven't visited Thomand but I think it is an integrated stadium with the stands coming all the way around. We don't need anything as plush in Pairc Tailteann. We already have a first class terrace which should not be touched. A full length stand with terraces at either end will be sufficient for our needs. This is unlikely to cost more than €15m. to €20M in the current climate. Having visited many of the GAA best parks in the last few years I would have to say that Pairc Tailteann is a disgrace considering that we have a sizable population in Meath. Other much smaller counties have much better facilities. The GAA has decided not to build a second stadium in Dublin for the time being. This should be the opportunity for us to get much needed funds to do up Pairc Tailteann. Incidentally it won't be possible for Meath County board to develop a street between Commons Rd and Railway St as they own very little of it. In fact I heard that O'Mahonies have already sold their frontage off for development.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 23/12/2009 12:16:33    521280

You must not have been in the Brews hill area recently so Ard Ri as the work has started a while back in O Mahonys, with Aldi to move in there in the spring. O Mahonys i believe are moving their main pitch some 80 yards down towards the rail-line?

Jgc81 (Meath) - Posts: 195 - 23/12/2009 12:24:15    521290

even putting in concrete terrace behind each goal would be a considerable start.but the stand isnt in great shape particularly the dressing rooms and etc underneath

stamullenman (Meath) - Posts: 392 - 28/12/2009 20:01:03    521712

I think Pairc Tailteann should have been sold during the boom, theyd have got top price, and build a stadium in Dunganny.. local towns like Trim, Navan, even villages would have benefitted more, less traffic congestion concerning egress from stadium, and proper facilities. At the moment, the stand is pre-historic, and the toilets inadequate, especially the terraces on a big game day

Maco

No. Pairc Tailteann must remain in Navan where it always has been. It is the nearest big town to the historic townland of Tailteann (Teltown) where the ancient games of the Irish were held every year and that alone is good enough reason for me. However for purely commercial reasons it should always be in the largest or most central town in the county. Navan is both. There may be some problems with regard to access and egress to the stadioum in Navan but all towns have this problem and it would not be any better in Dunganny. In fact it would be considerably worse. Were you never at the ploughing championship. Because this is held in the middle of the country without a sufficient number of roads to get the trafic away there is usually miles of tailbacks both going and coming despite the fact that patrons arrive and leave over a 2/3 hour period both ways. Navan has about eight roads leaving the town Dunganny has nothing like this. With the new motorway being opened next year the problem of moving cars out of the town after the match will be much less. Also the new train station will cater for many coming to the Pairc. Pairc Tailteann must be retained and much enhanced in Navan.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 29/12/2009 12:12:53    521869

I think the County Board are correct to leave Pairc Tailteann where it is. Moving the facilities out to DungannY would be bordering on madness! Where would you park if you had a 75% full house- in Trim and Navan!. I think it is good to have grass at both ends and gives the facilities a more natural look. I would say that 3m would go a long way in refurbishing the stand and dressing room/toilets in the present low cost environment

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 29/12/2009 13:09:08    521893

Three years ago I wold have sai sell it and move out to a new stadium. Yes, Navan is in a really bad condition....although it does make me reminisce about the old Hogan Stand in Croker. Unfortunately, we do not get the attendances at Navan to justify such a large upgrade. Thomond gets a full house 10-15 times a year, Navan only gets 1 to games where there are more than 15,000 peopl there. I'm afraid the numbers don't work for a full redevelopment....now toilet paper in a refurbished toilets under the main stand or behind the terrace- that would be welcomed.

DowdtoFoleyGoal (Meath) - Posts: 292 - 29/12/2009 17:16:04    522051

Great suggestion but I cant see Barney and the board approving anything like this.

Farmerboy (Meath) - Posts: 209 - 29/12/2009 17:42:01    522066

Leinster needs a second stadium, like apart from Croker where is there. Portlaoise is ok but Munster meanwhile has 4 stadiums with bigger capacities. Navan would be perfect for Leinsters second stadium. With the M3 on the way and the train line to Dublin it would be easy for anyone to get to. The grassy knoll is a bit outdated alright but we certainly dont need anything like Thomand with corporate boxes and the like. Maybe a longer grandstand without those wooden seats and a roof covering most if not all the patrons.

trimmer (Meath) - Posts: 553 - 30/12/2009 10:28:22    522286

I think Tullamore is going to affect Leinster games in Navan.. new pitch and a bright new stand, Leinster council pumped alot of money into Tullamore, and relocating Pairc Tailteann, may only mean 2 miles or more out the road, but either way, alot of finance is going to have to be spent in upgrading the stand,, and as for toilet paper... ya mad?..thats for the special MEATH congress, held every 31st february!!

maco (Meath) - Posts: 357 - 30/12/2009 12:29:42    522323

Simple. New full length stand and two end terraces. Build it and they will come.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 30/12/2009 13:56:09    522376

Well rather than looking at Thomond, look at the Reebok stadium in Bolton, Lancashire. It cost around half of what Thomond cost, covered seating on all sides, holds 28,000. It is architecturally noteworthy too, which may add alot to a town in terms of attracting business to a place. That may sound like nonsense but has proven to be true in many cases.

LoyalRoyal (None) - Posts: 465 - 30/12/2009 20:41:57    522624

The real ard ri
No. Pairc Tailteann must remain in Navan where it always has been. It is the nearest big town to the historic townland of Tailteann (Teltown) where the ancient games of the Irish were held every year and that alone is good enough reason for me.Having visited many of the GAA best parks in the last few years I would have to say that Pairc Tailteann is a disgrace considering that we have a sizable population

I wouldnt like to have you working in planning for the meath county council if you think that alone is good enough reason to leave a stadium in navan. Very narrow minded thinking. You seem to know an awfull lot about building stadiums. How did you calculate that your proposal would cost 15 to 20 million? How exactly should the county board go about raising these funds in the current climate? The county board has developed a superb facilty in dunganny and are strugling to get funds to put proper dressing rooms in place.

premiumlevel (Meath) - Posts: 62 - 02/01/2010 20:36:31    523096