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County: Meath
Posts: 11

523096 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.

So Where do you suggest we do have the home grounds for the county then?
Almost every County has their Main ground in the Main town in the county. Moving it out to the middle of the country doesnt work. There is also a lot of history to Pairc Tailteann & this would be lost buy building a new stadium.

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6347 - 03/01/2010 01:04:21    523242

Moving out of Pairc Tailteann would be a complete no-no and I even like the suggestion of such. The stadium does need urgent repair and given the current climate I would say some very favourable tenders could be achieved by wanting construction companies, The stand would be the most expensive, a total full lenght replacement needed. Then terrace both grass banks and preferably cover one of them, O'Mahony's end probably being the best for that job and then extend the sides of the present terrace and reprofile it and seat it with a roof and we could have two fine stands and two fine terraces, €15 million would go a hell of a long way today I'd say

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3750 - 04/01/2010 22:39:53    524512

LoyalRoyal Had a look at the Reebok on the net. The pitch deminsions are only 105 x68 while a Gealic pitch is 130-145 meters long and 80-90 meters wide. I think that the existing pitch in Navan is probably very close to maximum so the Reebok is slightly longer than Tailteann is wide. If the a similar stadium was developed to accomodate a Gaelic pitch it would probably have at least 1/2 as many more seats which would leave it at about 42,000 seats and this would cost a small fortune as price escalated as the number increases. We don't need anything like this. As I said before and supported by Jinxie and Richieq, one good full length stand with terraces at each end should be what we go for. Yes this will be difficult to finance but now is the time to get in a few tenders. If we had a good stadium capable of accommodating 40,000 people with about 10,000 seated we would get premium games. As things stand nearly every other stadium in the country will be considered before Pairc Tailteann and this is a shame. Undoubtedly you will have those who will be against it but they are against everything and we know we cannot depend on them to raise funds. They will however be the first to say what should have been done after the stadium is completed. I see them in my every club all the time. Loud mouths with not a single constructive suggestion between them. We are not depending on them however, but we are depending on supporters young and old who will discuss the options and then row in behind whatever option is decided on. I look forward to the redevelopment of the stadium into something we the people of Meath can be proud of and will play my part in raising funds. Incidentally I propose that a stadium for all sports be constructed. This way we will have the support of all the people and wouldn't it be grand to see a Leinster V Munster or any other team play a Heineken cup game there. I personally would be at it. Who else would attend.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 05/01/2010 16:15:03    524985

Ard Rí, I take your point, but I used the Reebok as an example just to show what you could get for half the price of Thomond. I'm fully aware of the pitch dimension issue. I think in Navan we should keep any development to a capacity of 30,000 maximum. There's little need to increase capacity until such time that we can't cater for demand. I also see where you, Jinxie and Richieq are coming from, 2 seated stands and covered at least 3/4 of the way around, it makes sense alright. But is that setting the bar still a bit too low. If we really want to stand out from the crowd, dont we need to aim a little higher. Especially if we want to attract attention outside the GAA as you say. Develop something that would get people excited. Something that would draw people in, there are plenty in Navan who dont go to games and certainly PT as it stands, while its served us well, doesnt entice anyone in. A smaller state of the art stadium with an instense athmosphere would be better than a larger, run of the mill stands. terraces if we were to settle for them at the ends need to be covered, they are usually empty at league matches in winter and are therefore wasted space and money if you ask me. With a new stadium we might even get some of the recent blow-ins from Dublin into our games ;-) In saying this I think we need to hold back a bit in terms of when to go ahead, I think outside business involvement would be a must for such a venture in order to not to put too much of a strain on the County's finances. Also with the current structure of the championship it needs to be thought about whether there is enough games available to be played in a new stadium. Which games are we expected to attract? We wont be taking any away from Croke Park anyway which could be part of a double hearder. Before we go spending money this needs to be thought about carefully. I personally just dont think we should settle for off-the-shelf stands. Something striking, bespoke and progressive in terms of design, use and management, I think will benefit us greatly in the long run.

LoyalRoyal (None) - Posts: 465 - 06/01/2010 16:27:03    525968

The real Árd Rí

A Heineken cup match in Meath?
Not a snowballs chance in hell. The home Leinster games would be held in Landsdown or the RDS, maybe even in Croker if they could fill it. Never outside of Dublin though. Best you could hope for would be to get Navan Rugby Club to play some of their big matches there, if that would even be worth it.

Also, the point was made already that the County Board can't even put dressing rooms into Dunganny, the 'centre of excellence' of Meath GAA, so pumping a few million into redeveloping PT, which isn't even urgent, won't happen for years unfortunately, hate it or love it, it's the truth.

dunbainneman (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 06/01/2010 17:21:45    526028

We definitely should go for something that isn't architecturally bereft like most grounds. Tullamore has a good new grandstand but its very boring to look at and could honestly be anywhere in the country if you couldnt see the seat colours. To make it economically viable it has to be opened up to other sports. Imagine having Leinster pay a couple of Magners games there, like how Munster go to Musgrave in Cork or possibly Drogheda United having a European game instead of forcing them to play in Dublin.

trimmer (Meath) - Posts: 553 - 06/01/2010 17:24:27    526032

i like ur idea trimmer but we would need serious money which i doubht we have but it would be great to hold big games! and a have a stadium were the seats are nice and comfortable and were there is nt poles in the way of the action

Royal_son (Meath) - Posts: 300 - 06/01/2010 21:12:25    526261

Do I take it dunbainneman that if such came to pass you for one would not be in attendance much less support the idea. Don't always be so quick to knock an idea which if it happened, would be for the betterment of all Meath sports fans. Lets get rid of the bigotry in sport. I agree that it may not happen but that's no reason to knock the principle.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 08/01/2010 20:23:22    528501

Ard Rí, I was actually at the Leinster Vs Scarlets match a few weeks ago. What makes you think I wouldn't go to Navan to watch another?

Also, why shouldn't I be so quick to knock an idea that's just blatant codology? Leinster would be the only team to play a Heineken Cup match there, and they found it hard enough to leave their d4 home to go to Croker in the northside! Couple with this the fact that Lansdown will be long finished by the time Pairc Tailteann will hopefully get refurbished, and also a better stadium than any of us could ever hope for in Meath, then it's obvious your fanciful idea will never come to fruition, simple as.

You may call it 'knocking the principal', but its merely living in the real world. While your at it, why don't you say "It would be great if Drogheda United played a few Champions League games there?". Wouldn't that be for the betterment of all Meath sports fans? Yet even yourself would knock that idea.

dunbainneman (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 09/01/2010 16:24:37    528847

The real ard ri Do I take it dunbainneman that if such came to pass you for one would not be in attendance much less support the idea. Don't always be so quick to knock an idea which if it happened, would be for the betterment of all Meath sports fans. I agree that it may not happen but that's no reason to knock the principle. Its just been realistic. Your in dreamland Ard ri. It wont happen. Aviva is built. The rule book wont allow rugby in pairc tailtean yet. PT doesnt get many big games. The money isnt there. Its hard enough get parking on county final day never mind filling it with 40000.

premiumlevel (Meath) - Posts: 62 - 09/01/2010 19:53:34    529029

dunbainneman

"While your at it, why don't you say "It would be great if Drogheda United played a few Champions League games there?". Wouldn't that be for the betterment of all Meath sports fans? Yet even yourself would knock that idea."

Very interesting observation there. Fact is if Drogheda or any other Irish team were to get to the Champions League proper I would be over the Moon as more established contributors to this site can testify to. However while Leinster is not only a regular participant in the Heineken cup but the actual holders. Drogheda have about as much chance of getting to the pool stages of the Champions league as I, or you for that matter, have of winning the 1,500 mtrs in the next Olympics. However if Drogheda were to qualify for the pre Pool stages of the said league and were looking for a decent stadium to play it in I would be the first to suggest Navan and would hope to get a ticket to see the match. For your information I have been a supporter of Drogheda for the best part of 50 years. Now son can you say that. Now I agree that Leinster is unlikely to leave Dublin for their matches any time soon, firstly because they prefer to play in Dublin and second there is no demand for them to do so. However my suggestion was that if we had a Navan stadium outside of any organisation, which is again unlikely, capable of holding various games, then wouldn't it be a fine thing to see Leinster play there or any other Rugby or Soccer club.

As far as getting the finance to build a stadium is concerned, or facilitating parking, well yes these are two problems. But nothing can be done without overcoming problems, and belive you me they can be overcome if there is the will to do so. What I am detecting from Dunbainneman and Premiumlevel is an unwillingness to try to overcome these problems. Perhaps it's the thought that they will have to put their hands in their own pockets for once. Over the course of my life I have seen and help solve considerably bigger problems than this and before I am finished I will succeed in removing further obstacles from the path of Irish society.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 10/01/2010 17:39:52    529430

"Drogheda have about as much chance of getting to the pool stages of the Champions league as I, or you for that matter, have of winning the 1,500 mtrs in the next Olympics" Thanks for proving my point in that line. You just rubbished the idea of Drogheda playing in the said competition, or am I mistaken? Then you start talking with all your 'ifs'...if Drogheda were to qualify...if we had a Navan stadium outside of any organisation...where will you draw the line? Sure if U2 wanted to play a gig in Ireland outside of Croker, wouldn't it be great to get them to Navan?! There's my own big fanciful if for you. While I'm at it, why don't we get The Beatles to play as well?! (Please sense the sarcasm this time). "Perhaps it's the thought that they (myself and another poster) will have to put their hands in their own pockets for once." Now hold on a second! I'm 17 for crying out loud! Iemoving further obstacles from the path of Irish society can barely pay to see a film, never mind contributing to an unnecessary 50,000 seater stadium! You bring up an important point though...why should people pay out of their own pocket for a stadium that would be full only once every couple of years? Living in the real world without Champions League or Heineken Cup games, lets be honest, there would only be a few times the capacity of a big stadium in Navan would be tested. And if you vow to remove further obstacles from the path of Irish society, perhaps you would start with the Cork GAA, then maybe recession?! In that order, mind!!!

dunbainneman (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 11/01/2010 19:38:26    530327

I first mentioned the idea of Drogheda United having a game in Navan. I never suggested they could play a group stage game of the Champo League in Navan what i meant is it might be handy for them to play there if they were playing in a preliminary round of said competition or the Europa League. Everyone knows they'll never be good enough to get that far unfortunately. Same with Leinster it seems more likely for them to play a Magners game there not a Heineken one, perhaps against a lowly enough team like the Dragons or Glasgow.

trimmer (Meath) - Posts: 553 - 11/01/2010 20:47:23    530423

Thomond in Navan
Are you for real do you not know thomond park is home to munster rugby who were european champions in professional rugby where theres alot more money in meath gaa! Maybe a new stand or a concrete terrace with a roof on the hospital side but come on the meath gaa struggle to pump money into underage especially down the cavan end e.g oldcastle ballinacree ballinlough moylAGH so what good would a thomond be if many young lads dont get an oppoutunity to play there because they were not looked after enough and lost intrest?

mrmidfield9 (Meath) - Posts: 37 - 12/01/2010 13:58:10    530858

Hold on there dunbainneman. Was someone suggesting a 50,000 all seater stadium. If so then I'm with you as it would simply not be sustainable. What I and others are proposing wouldbe a 40,000 stadium with about 10,000 seaqts. This would be more than sufficient for any Gaa game likely to be played in Navan or, if we could get over the objections, for most Rugby or Soccer games that I can envisage at this stage. Of course if Munster or Leinster were to meet, as they did last year in a Heinekin cup final or semi then the demand would be such that the game would have to be held in Landstown Rd or even Croke Park. If Drogheda were to qualify for any stage in Europe then such a stadium would suffice. However if they were to go further and draw say Man United or Barcelona then you would again go for a larger stadium. Thed stadium I would propose would never facilitate U2 much less the Beatles which you don't seem to realise broke up 40 years ago when your Dad was still in short pants (great bunch of lads, pity you wern't around to enjoy them. Fantastic visit to Dublin in '63. Got John's autograph. Ringo was too busy with a bunch of screming girls and Paul said he had signed enough. Couldn't near George.) Anyway you seem to be running away with yoursels with your suggestion of 50,000 seats.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 12/01/2010 19:21:02    531381

wrong time to be thinkin of a stadium development, recession, attendances at games are low and we dont really have any important inter county games here so i dont see the point unless we want to go into debt. if you do well do it and see the prices of tickets go up

williepullin (Meath) - Posts: 4 - 12/01/2010 19:38:27    531409

In response to a few comments there. I would suggest people should read the original post fully and not just the thread title before replying. A new stadium on its own would not be the way to go. As said in the original post building some additional features would open new revenue streams for Meath GAA. This would not only pay for the stadium development but in the long term bring in a steady cash flow that can go towards funding clubs, youth camps, county teams. It could make Meath GAA more financially independent of Croke Park. PT is in a great location and could fully exploit this opportunity and if it were successful ticket prices wouldn't need to be increased. Otherwise just a stadium (or stands) on its own will be just a burden for years to come and would have to be financed by the Meath GAA through grants, fund-raising and increased ticket prices. Depending on other sports to fill the stadium while I don't object to it, its just that, if that's what we are relying on in the long term it may not be financially stable. Keeping in mind what happens with Croke park when the Rugby and Soccer lads head south of the Liffey. Of course the big problem is, as has been pointed out several times is the lack of games to play. I will add with considerable optimism that a new stadium that is comfortable, clean etc, would draw larger crowds to league games. That would not be enough likely and the championship would need to be revised. (As it currently stands existing county grounds are under-used at Intercounty level. but thats a whole other debate). And I'll finish with this. Here's some food for thought, something that has recently been given the go ahead: link

LoyalRoyal (None) - Posts: 465 - 13/01/2010 16:50:07    532080

Its easier said that done to just tag on a few retail units beside the supposed redevelopment, and find a few retailers to fill them. Definitely a good idea, but have a look at this: http://www.daft.ie/meath/commercial_to_let/navan/
That's a lot retail spaces free in Navan at the minute, and I know that's in the depth of a recession, but it's hard to argue with.
Also, it would take years for the filled retail spaces to recoup the cost of the whole project. A couple of thousand a month may sound like a lot of money, but if then again the whole project would cost millions, and more than likely put Meath GAA firmly into the red, so I think it would take well over a decade until clubs, youth camps, county teams would see much of a financial benefit.

Also just a note on the Parnell's project. Firstly it says in the article "Parnell's GAA Club in Coolock in North Dublin says it hopes to begin construction on the project in early 2010 if planners give the project the go-head." So has it actually been given the go-ahead yet? A small stumbling block, if any, but worth taking note of.
Also, much like Trim or Ashbourne, they've already got a huge amount of money from a previous sale of land. I don't think Meath GAA could do this at the minute, with the price of land today, and I'm not so sure they would have anywhere to sell?

dunbainneman (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 13/01/2010 18:23:51    532234