New Westmeath GAA stadium ruled out as Cusack Park committee is formed

Westmeath County Board chairman Tom Farrell has claimed that the building of a new headquarters for Westmeath GAA will not happen in his lifetime "due to the economic downturn". The county board had previously outlined ambitious plans to build to a new stadium with a capacity in the region of 26,000 on a greenfield site just outside Mullingar. However, given the current economic situation, there appears to be little prospect of Cusack Park being sold for the kind of sum necessary to fund the building of a new stadium. At last week's county board meeting, Mr Farrell said the building of a new stadium is "not going to happen in my lifetime". Mr Farrell made the comments as he revealed that a new Cusack Park committee has been established. The members of the committee are as follows: Tom Farrell, Pat Lynagh, Paddy Collins, PJ Murphy (chairman of the Leinster Council infrastructural committee), Tony Robinson and Sean Sheridan Mr Farrell said the committee will be exploring the possibility of building a new stand and improving the facilities in Cusack Park. He proposed that the county board should write to the Leinster Council expressing their intention to make improvements to Cusack Park. He said funding will be provided for major county grounds. Joe Malone (St Mary's, Rochfortbridge) asked will the county board be seeking to acquire land from Dunnes Stores (which has a store located close to Cusack Park) in order to expand the facilities. Mr Farrell said it would be unlikely that any additional land could be acquired. Terry O'Dowd (Mullingar Shamrocks) asked if the committee will be looking at installing floodlights in Cusack Park. He said this must be done if the committee wants to improve the facilities. Mr Farrell replied that nothing has been ruled in or out at this stage, adding that the committee would take recommendations from clubs on board.