Sixmilebridge GAA Club have released details of an exciting new development.
Planning permission has been granted for a new Sports Arena which is to be situated on the club’s Cappa Lodge grounds. The club is asking for members to invest in their children’s future by paying €5 weekly to their Lotto draw to fund the project which they have made easier and more tempting to win.
At a cost between €400,000 – €450,000 the club plans to build a 60m long x 30m wide steel clad building that is 18, 000 square feet in size. This building will house an indoor astro turf playing facility with a viewing gallery and reception area. A steel portal frame structure will encompass the building with precast walling internally to act as an all-round hurling wall.
Proposed construction will commence in late 2018 with works anticipated to last six months. Such an ambitious plan requires a lot of financial investment and the club is hoping a little amount per week from members will go a long way towards creating a state of the art arena.
A member of the arena development committee told The Clare Herald “The realisation and completion of this project is entirely dependent on the generosity of our community and the voluntary effort of our supporters. The existing Club Lotto is to be revised with a standing order contribution of €5 per week, with significantly improved prize money. This new initiative will be the main funding vehicle for the development. Sports Capital Funding will also be sought if and when it becomes available”.
Former National Hurling Director Paudie Butler is fully behind the development. “In our wetter climate and dark winters indoor centres are going to become essentials and not luxuries to be dreamed of. Hurling will flourish in Sixmilebridge if this facility is there. The local schools will benefit greatly and make brilliant use of it, week in week out”.
Games Development Officer with Clare GAA, Ronan Keane is adamant an arena like this is the best way to ease young children into the world of gaelic games. “Nowadays children are coming to clubs younger and younger. Children of 3 and 4 years of age are not ready to be put into structure hurling activities. These children must develop rudimentary movement skills, which again, help with long term athletic development. The single best area to work on these skills is an indoor astro turf.”
With a lot of positivity around the club following the approval of planning permission, Sixmilebridge will be hosting a launch night this Saturday at 8pm in the club hall at O’Garney Park. Club PRO and Clare FM commentator Syl O’Connor will be MC for the gathering with plenty of club greats such as Davy Fitzgerald, Sean Stack, Seadna Morey, Niall Gilligan, Chloe Morey, Michael O’Halloran and many more to attend along with special guests Paudie Butler, Marty Morrissey and Deirdre Murphy.