Next phase of Walsh Park redevelopment to begin in 'very near future'

Waterford County Board chairman Neil Moore has expressed optimism that significant progress could be made on the redevelopment of Walsh Park in the coming weeks, with the project moving closer to the commencement of its next phase of construction.

Speaking on the Official Waterford GAA Podcast, Moore confirmed that the remaining phases of the redevelopment have now been combined into one project, with the intention of completing the outstanding works in a single construction programme.

The redevelopment of the county’s home ground has been a long-standing priority for Waterford GAA, with significant improvements having already been undertaken at the Keane’s Road stadium.

However, Moore acknowledged that there remains a strong desire to see the project brought to full completion.

“We’re delighted with the progress that has taken place in Walsh Park, but like everybody, we really want to get it finished,” he said.

“Phase two and phase three have now been combined into one phase,, so it will be our intention, once we commence new works on the stadium, to finish the whole lot together in one series of works.” The Abbeyside Ballinacourty clubman revealed that considerable work has been undertaken behind the scenes to advance the project, with the county board engaging with Munster GAA, Croke Park and the Department of Sport in recent days.

Moore paid particular tribute to the voluntary project team, led by Paudie Coffey, Eugene McKenna and Michael Walsh, who have played a central role in progressing the redevelopment.

“We really are extremely grateful to have that level of expertise and professionalism available to the county on a completely voluntary basis,” he said.

“Other projects would be facing huge professional fees, to have people of that calibre engaged in our project.” In terms of the project’s current position, Moore confirmed that Munster GAA and Croke Park have indicated their support for the redevelopment to progress, although further meetings are required before those necessary approvals are secured.

He also revealed that the project’s business plan has received political support.

“Our partners in the project, Munster GAA and Croke Park, from the GAA side, more or less have come out and said that they’re fully in support of the project progressing,” Moore explained. “There’s just another one or two meetings we have with Croke Park to hopefully get approval from Croke Park to progress. LSSIF, who are the government branch that we deal with, the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, have also had our business plan submitted to them and they’ve approved the business plan.” Crucially, the project has already progressed through the tendering process, with a preferred tender selected ahead of the anticipated commencement of construction.

Moore believes that subject to the outstanding approvals being secured, Waterford GAA could soon be in a position to make a significant announcement.

“We would be hopeful in the next two to three weeks that we may have some very good news,” he said.

“We have gone to tender, there is a preferred tender after being picked, so that once we do get approval from our partners in the GAA and from LSSIF, that we would be able to proceed and progress that tender that’s on the table, and we will see construction starting in the very near future.”