First step taken as Westmeath plan new centre of excellence

The most significant announcement by Westmeath GAA in many years came at a meeting of the County the Mullingar Park Hotel on February 1.

The meeting was significant and this was reflected in the attendance, with the chairperson and secretary of each club invited for the official confirmation that Westmeath had agreed a deal with the Health Service Executive (HSE) for the purchase of land.

Some of Westmeath GAA’s main sponsors were in attendance also, while Club Iarmhí, the county’s official supporters group, was represented by Des Maguire, Rose Corcoran, Mary Martin, Vincent Maguire and Pat Mulligan.

“This is their briefing. They’ve known about this venture for quite a while,” explained Frank Mescall, chairman.

The minor board (Coiste na nÓg) were also welcomed.

“The purpose of tonight’s meeting is very basic: we need to get your permission to purchase about 48/49 acres of land for, and I hate the term centre of excellence, but that is what it has become known as. I call it, for our home, our base, training centre, where Westmeath ladies and men will be based. We need your permission for that,” the chairman explained.

He explained that definitive answers on the entire project were not possible, but the intention to pursue a new home for Westmeath is the worst kept secret as it has gone on for a long time.

“It began with Billy Foley and Pat Reilly, before my time, and it’s only reaching fruition now. Part of that delay is very, very understandable because we are dealing with a semi-state body; they had to go through a procurement process before they could sell the land. That was understandable.

“We had a number of delays along the way in the last few years where, what we were buying, changed. At one stage we were buying 89 acres: too much, but it’s what we were being offered and we were prepared to buy the 89. Better have too much rather than too little,” he explained.

He said the initial plans changed and the deal now on the table was 49 acres (approximately). Significantly, road frontage was removed: the field running along by the road was removed.

"Again, there was nothing we could do about that; we were happy. From our little bit of research with other countries, 50 acres is the magic figure of what we would need,” he explained.

Westmeath GAA will be aiming to put at least six new pitches in place, plus ancillary service and car parking facilities. New dressing rooms will be included, as well as a gymnasium and a physio room. There will be fully equipped catering and kitchen services, an auditorium and meeting rooms.

A roadway will need to be built into the new centre and Westmeath GAA are responsible for the construction of this. “It is our responsibility to build that roadway in,” he explained.

Following this there was a detailed presentation by Patrick Doherty, head of operations, before it was opened up to questions from the floor.

Hearings committee put in place

The Westmeath hearings committee was ratified at the meeting.

It reads as follows: Michael McHugh (chairman), Nollaig McEntegart (secretary), Harry Mooney, Matt Scally, John Julian, Jim Rock, Eddie Newman, Tom Keegan and Eamonn Clarke.