What to do about Walsh Park?

IanVW

CLG Port Lairge - Waterford GAA have submitted their planning application to Waterford Council for the redevelopment of Walsh Park. The following images were presented to a number of councillors last week. The proposal is for a covered terrace of 5240, uncovered bucket seating of 4430 & 5,000 plus covered bucket seating in the existing stand. The need to have a robust traffic management plan not only for potential big Munster Championship fixtures but for club games was stressed to the county board officials!

Planning application can be found on the following link & documents will be uploaded soon... http://www.eplanning.ie/WaterfordCCC/AppFileRefDetails/18448/0

IanVW

And 2 more

blue note

Even the graphics look rubbish. When they were doing up cusack park I remember some amazing looking images doing the rounds. If the above images are the dream of what it will look like, God knows what it will actually look like.

Martin Cullen was right when he said that we have to think longer term than how do we get to have a home advantage next year. If we do this work now we're making sure that we don't get a decent ground any time soon.

Deiseen

Do they need to put the Waterford GAA building like that right there? Losing the possibility of 5/6000 seats due to that...

blue note

Deiseen wrote: »

Do they need to put the Waterford GAA building like that right there? Losing the possibility of 5/6000 seats due to that...

And making it far more difficult and expensive to do anything. Carriganore is a better location for it now. They should revisit it.

914

Deiseen wrote: »

Do they need to put the Waterford GAA building like that right there? Losing the possibility of 5/6000 seats due to that...

If they demolished the current stand, built it steeper which would allow dressing rooms/ offices to be built underneath like what has been done in the RSC, that would then allow terracing to be placed at the city end.

Also a massive waste of space in each corner. If those areas were also filled in we could be possibly looking at 20/22k.

Looks like patch work to me. Our upgrade is a bus carpark, building and two terraced areas which should have been done during the past 22 years!

Deiseen

SURELY the GAA can give us a bit more towards the stadium????

Harry Palmr

As I said they want it done as quickly and cheaply as possible. This issue will never be fixed as long as Fraher Field is there, Waterford GAA needs to plant it's flag in either Dungarvan or the City for once and for all time.

Just spotted there are no plans for floodlights, which seems short-sighted as well. Then again that's probably a tricky planning issue with the houses so close on two sides.

Max Powers

Thought john Cummins comments made lot of sense, there is an east and west county board and should be joined.out of all the nonsense that has gone on over decades, the idiocy not to jump at Martin Cullen's proposal, state we are in now, etc...they still have two organisations in one organisation..no hope until rubbish like that is eliminated.
At this stage, if you would like to see a decent stadium in Waterford, best option IMO would be to support the blues, if numbers grew a relatively small bit and stayed consistent then extension of seating there most viable.

Deiseen

Max Powers wrote: »

Thought john Cummins comments made lot of sense, there is an east and west county board and should be joined.out of all the nonsense that has gone on over decades, the idiocy not to jump at Martin Cullen's proposal, state we are in now, etc...they still have two organisations in one organisation..no hope until rubbish like that is eliminated.
At this stage, if you would like to see a decent stadium in Waterford, best option IMO would be to support the blues, if numbers grew a relatively small bit and stayed consistent then extension of seating there most viable.

All for supporting the blues, but hurling is king and unless something drastic happens, you will never see the same crowds at a Blues game.

Harry Palmr

When Waterford FC are a Champions League side they'll have to play home games in Cork or Limerick probably.

Max Powers

Deiseen wrote: »

All for supporting the blues, but hurling is king and unless something drastic happens, you will never see the same crowds at a Blues game.

Possibly but there is more people going significantly more often to RSC than walsh park.

deiseach

Harry Palmr wrote: »

As I said they want it done as quickly and cheaply as possible. This issue will never be fixed as long as Fraher Field is there, Waterford GAA needs to plant it's flag in either Dungarvan or the City for once and for all time.

Just spotted there are no plans for floodlights, which seems short-sighted as well. Then again that's probably a tricky planning issue with the houses so close on two sides.

All the games that are pushing the demand for a new/improved ground will be played in or around June. Perversely I think the state of Walsh Park makes it the better option for redevelopment 'as quickly and cheaply as possible' (I'm not being a smart arse by putting that in quotes, as quickly and cheaply as possible is definitely a factor in all this. By the time a a brand new venue would be built the landscape of the hurling championship could be completely different.) If they went for the Fraher option, Walsh Park would still need work, if only so it isn't a death trap.

Deiseen

Max Powers wrote: »

Deiseen wrote: »

All for supporting the blues, but hurling is king and unless something drastic happens, you will never see the same crowds at a Blues game.

Possibly but there is more people going significantly more often to RSC than walsh park.

That is true, so its hard to compare!

deiseach

The highest average attendance in the League of Ireland in 2018 is 4,448. Even the most optimistic projection of the progress of the Blues should not involve them needing a 15,000+ capacity stadium.

Johnboy1951

Why should almost everyone be thinking along the lines of a one-use stadium?

Surely any stadium worth having should be buit for multiple-type events and not just those of the 'primary' purpose ...... whether that is GAA, Soccer, Music Gig, or other type.

Of course the GAA traditionally would not touch anything contaminated with soccer which has not helped at all.

914

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Why should almost everyone be thinking along the lines of a one-use stadium?

Surely any stadium worth having should be buit for multiple-type events and not just those of the 'primary' purpose ...... whether that is GAA, Soccer, Music Gig, or other type.

Of course the GAA traditionally would not touch anything contaminated with soccer which has not helped at all.

Fully agree with this. Waterford and Ireland in generally is too small (population wise) for different venues for different sports.

Would love to see a bit of vision here involving several parties. Move the running track in the RSC to one of the pitches behind the main pitch while construction a stand for 200-400 spectators for athletics.

Then construct a 15/20k (even start with 10/12k and expanding over a period of time) stadium on the main pitch for Waterford FC, Waterford GAA, rugby (munster B fixtures and possibly the odd first team) and concerts.

Funding sought from waterford council, fai, gaa, irfu, atheltics Ireland, department of sport, lotto and private investment.

Irelands first fully fledged multi sport regional sports centre.

Ideal central location. We're already getting 5 million from the GAA, another 1 million in selling Walsh Park. We'd need approx another 4 million and job done.

Max Powers

914 wrote: »

Fully agree with this. Waterford and Ireland in generally is too small (population wise) for different venues for different sports.

Would love to see a bit of vision here involving several parties. Move the running track in the RSC to one of the pitches behind the main pitch while construction a stand for 200-400 spectators for athletics.

Then construct a 15/20k (even start with 10/12k and expanding over a period of time) stadium on the main pitch for Waterford FC, Waterford GAA, rugby (munster B fixtures and possibly the odd first team) and concerts.

Funding sought from waterford council, fai, gaa, irfu, atheltics Ireland, department of sport, lotto and private investment.

Irelands first fully fledged multi sport regional sports centre.

Ideal central location. We're already getting 5 million from the GAA, another 1 million in selling Walsh Park. We'd need approx another 4 million and job done.

Yep, best option IMO. Junior league could also be persuaded to sell up ozier park, bring money to endeavor, and use a new RSC.we need a Martin Cullen type in position to knock heads together to do it and ensure some sort of backing.

Deiseen

Guys, do ye understand the amount of games that are held in Walsh Park? Add in soccer, athletics, concerts and rugby and you will have a logistical impossibility to deal with.

Harry Palmr

You'd only be juggling football really and that's an evening sport for the most part. Munster Rugby is hardly a thing in Waterford, Athletics can stay at the RSC and concerts would obviously have to fit in around sport not the other way round.

Max Powers

Harry Palmr wrote: »

You'd only be juggling football really and that's an evening sport for the most part. Munster Rugby is hardly a thing in Waterford, Athletics can stay at the RSC and concerts would obviously have to fit in around sport not the other way round.

Exactly, my example of the junior league and ozier park also, there are a series of cup final matches in early summer,I don't see scheduling problem, marking pitch, etc

914

Don't think scheduling would be to much of a problem.

Yes walsh park hosts a lot of games and a lot of those are hosted mid week. Granted minor/u21 and senior are weekends generally saturday/sunday.

Waterford fc generally play friday and mondays. Athletics would take place behind the rsc with access availble from kingfisher if required.

Absolutely no issue with scheduling, it would actually be a good complaint and a massive boost to revenue.

Even regarding the club scene in GAA, attendances are fairly poor therfore games if could be also played in faher, WIT Arena and club pitches if needed

deiseach

Having one ground for all sports in Waterford would be a great idea if we were starting from first principles. But we're not. Who would be the neutral party who would adjudicate on scheduling issues? The corpo? With the best will in the world there are going to be problems there, and when you consider how civil war nearly broke out in the GAA over the Kildare-Mayo match and the notorious lack of a relationship between the Blues and the junior leagues, good will is in short supply within sports, let alone between them. The GAA are the only party who don't have a suitable venue. There's no sense in dragging soccer, athletics and rugby (ha!) into providing solutions for the GAA's problem.

Max Powers

deiseach wrote: »

Having one ground for all sports in Waterford would be a great idea if we were starting from first principles. But we're not. Who would be the neutral party who would adjudicate on scheduling issues? The corpo? With the best will in the world there are going to be problems there, and when you consider how civil war nearly broke out in the GAA over the Kildare-Mayo match and the notorious lack of a relationship between the Blues and the junior leagues, good will is in short supply within sports, let alone between them. The GAA are the only party who don't have a suitable venue. There's no sense in dragging soccer, athletics and rugby (ha!) into providing solutions for the GAA's problem.

Having a proper stadium is the sense and fact that multiple venues is silly duplication as we know. I just don't see scheduling as an issue, marking the pitch after one game would be biggest headache IMO, council already have a couple of staff doing excellent work on RSC pitch so no biggie I'd say.the only clash would be for say the summer when hurlers would have a couple of home games and blues playing too, blues play Friday night so between match finished and Sunday hurling, plenty time. County finals and junior league cup finals are rare enough and finished before hurling starts so no panic there.

Deiseen

Max Powers wrote: »

deiseach wrote: »

Having one ground for all sports in Waterford would be a great idea if we were starting from first principles. But we're not. Who would be the neutral party who would adjudicate on scheduling issues? The corpo? With the best will in the world there are going to be problems there, and when you consider how civil war nearly broke out in the GAA over the Kildare-Mayo match and the notorious lack of a relationship between the Blues and the junior leagues, good will is in short supply within sports, let alone between them. The GAA are the only party who don't have a suitable venue. There's no sense in dragging soccer, athletics and rugby (ha!) into providing solutions for the GAA's problem.

Having a proper stadium is the sense and fact that multiple venues is silly duplication as we know. I just don't see scheduling as an issue, marking the pitch after one game would be biggest headache IMO, council already have a couple of staff doing excellent work on RSC pitch so no biggie I'd say.the only clash would be for say the summer when hurlers would have a couple of home games and blues playing too, blues play Friday night so between match finished and Sunday hurling, plenty time. County finals and junior league cup finals are rare enough and finished before hurling starts so no panic there.

And what about Gaelic footballers?

Max Powers

Deiseen wrote: »

And what about Gaelic footballers?

Now your talking minority sports...fraher or any half decent club ground could manage if there was scheduling issues.

Deiseen

Max Powers wrote: »

Deiseen wrote: »

And what about Gaelic footballers?

Now your talking minority sports...fraher or any half decent club ground could manage if there was scheduling issues.

I'd hardly call Gaelic Football a minority sport... Just because the senior intercounty team are not a top side doesn't mean that there isn't a high participation and following within the county.

deiseach

Max Powers wrote: »

Having a proper stadium is the sense and fact that multiple venues is silly duplication as we know. I just don't see scheduling as an issue, marking the pitch after one game would be biggest headache IMO, council already have a couple of staff doing excellent work on RSC pitch so no biggie I'd say.the only clash would be for say the summer when hurlers would have a couple of home games and blues playing too, blues play Friday night so between match finished and Sunday hurling, plenty time. County finals and junior league cup finals are rare enough and finished before hurling starts so no panic there.

I don't think lining the pitch would be an issue either, shared soccer/rugby league grounds in England manage just fine. You didn't address my point though. Who decides what to do if there is a clash, and what criteria do they use to adjudicate on the clash?

Max Powers

deiseach wrote: »

I don't think lining the pitch would be an issue either, shared soccer/rugby league grounds in England manage just fine. You didn't address my point though. Who decides what to do if there is a clash, and what criteria do they use to adjudicate on the clash?

It's such a minor issue, who cares, they should be able to sort out any clashes handy enough, blues games are well scheduled, gaa know generally when they'll be playing, its a non issue that could easily be arranged, if there was some sort of dispute then yeah, maybe the council or some board of dedicated councillors, independent, could make a call...a non issue

Deiseen

Max Powers wrote: »

deiseach wrote: »

I don't think lining the pitch would be an issue either, shared soccer/rugby league grounds in England manage just fine. You didn't address my point though. Who decides what to do if there is a clash, and what criteria do they use to adjudicate on the clash?

It's such a minor issue, who cares, they should be able to sort out any clashes handy enough, blues games are well scheduled, gaa know generally when they'll be playing, its a non issue that could easily be arranged, if there was some sort of dispute then yeah, maybe the council or some board of dedicated councillors, independent, could make a call...a non issue

GAA will not sign up to a shared stadium. They definitely wont sign up to a stadium that doesn't allow Football to be played there.

Max Powers

Deiseen wrote: »

I'd hardly call Gaelic Football a minority sport... Just because the senior intercounty team are not a top side doesn't mean that there isn't a high participation and following within the county.

I would call it that, certainly half the country y anyway. I'm sure the county football final could be played in joint venue if they really wanted it too.no biggie.

Max Powers

Deiseen wrote: »

GAA will not sign up to a shared stadium. They definitely wont sign up to a stadium that doesn't allow Football to be played there.

This is a problem with the GAAs attitude.some of its members are still stuck in 1950s, foreign sports,we are better, etc

Deiseen

Max Powers wrote: »

Deiseen wrote: »

GAA will not sign up to a shared stadium. They definitely wont sign up to a stadium that doesn't allow Football to be played there.

This is a problem with the GAAs attitude.some of its members are still stuck in 1950s, foreign sports,we are better, etc

Can you tell me of any other sporting body that allows the promotion of rival sports? It doesn't happen in other countries thats for sure... So the GAA is no different.

Anyway, you are not considering football/hurling senior intercounty, senior/intermediate/junior, minor, under 21, LGFA and camogie.

You might think some of these games can be left out of the stadium but the aim would be to get as many in there as possible. And thats a lot of games.

deiseach

Max Powers wrote: »

It's such a minor issue, who cares, they should be able to sort out any clashes handy enough, blues games are well scheduled, gaa know generally when they'll be playing, its a non issue that could easily be arranged, if there was some sort of dispute then yeah, maybe the council or some board of dedicated councillors, independent, could make a call...a non issue

*sigh* My mistake for engaging with you on this. Carry on.

Johnboy1951

Deiseen wrote: »

Can you tell me of any other sporting body that allows the promotion of rival sports? It doesn't happen in other countries thats for sure... So the GAA is no different.

From where did the 'promotion' come?
Sharing facilities is not promotion!

Lansdowne Road/Aviva Stadium comes to mind for Irish sporting bodies sharing facilities.
Athletics track in RSC is sharing also.
So the 'idea' of sharing facilities is not at all foreign to bodies other than the GAA.
Yes for a regional shared stadium there would need to be more active 'management' of availability, but nothing that could not be done ...... or at least I have not read anything (except the GAA attitude to sharing) that would prevent it.

Anyway, you are not considering football/hurling senior intercounty, senior/intermediate/junior, minor, under 21, LGFA and camogie.

You might think some of these games can be left out of the stadium but the aim would be to get as many in there as possible. And thats a lot of games.

The ideal would be to have the most attended games there to make best use of the facilities - which are most likely the more important games on the GAA calendar.

The GAA also have Fraher Field for some of those you listed ...... it would help that field to be more integrated into the whole county GAA setup, and likely result in some minor development as it became necessary - under the sole control of the GAA.

Of course this would take complete commitment, from all parties involved, to the project ...... which seems to be where the GAA is lacking particularly in light of Cullen's revelations of past events.

lertsnim

A shared stadium isn't going to happen so why all the talk about one?

Harry Palmr

So we could attack the GAA of course!

It's a discussion forum, we were discussing.

914

Deiseen wrote: »

Can you tell me of any other sporting body that allows the promotion of rival sports? It doesn't happen in other countries thats for sure... So the GAA is no different.

Anyway, you are not considering football/hurling senior intercounty, senior/intermediate/junior, minor, under 21, LGFA and camogie.

You might think some of these games can be left out of the stadium but the aim would be to get as many in there as possible. And thats a lot of games.

Happens a lot in the UK with soccer and rugby clubs, in America with americian football clubs and soccer clubs and in Australia with Aussie Rules ans soccer clubs. Off the top of my head the DW Stadium in Wigan hosts Wigan FC, wigan rugby league and union.

Even croke park has hosted, soccer, rugby and americian football so I wouldn't worry to much about advertising other sports. This is where the GAA needs to come into the 21st century.

As for Gaelic Football all county games are in Faher, the odd club game is in WIT Arena and Walsh Park. Camogie and LGFA are completely different associations ans currently have to reach agreement with the GAA to us GAA venues so it would be no different.

Deiseen

914 wrote: »

Deiseen wrote: »

Can you tell me of any other sporting body that allows the promotion of rival sports? It doesn't happen in other countries thats for sure... So the GAA is no different.

Anyway, you are not considering football/hurling senior intercounty, senior/intermediate/junior, minor, under 21, LGFA and camogie.

You might think some of these games can be left out of the stadium but the aim would be to get as many in there as possible. And thats a lot of games.

Happens a lot in the UK with soccer and rugby clubs, in America with americian football clubs and soccer clubs and in Australia with Aussie Rules ans soccer clubs. Off the top of my head the DW Stadium in Wigan hosts Wigan FC, wigan rugby league and union.

Even croke park has hosted, soccer, rugby and americian football so I wouldn't worry to much about advertising other sports. This is where the GAA needs to come into the 21st century.

As for Gaelic Football all county games are in Faher, the odd club game is in WIT Arena and Walsh Park. Camogie and LGFA are completely different associations ans currently have to reach agreement with the GAA to us GAA venues so it would be no different.

You don't think the GAA would not want to use Waterford's flagship stadium for Football? Or that the club's, who would ultimately vote for this, would not want that either? That they would be happy to play in crappy aul Fraher while soccer games are going on in the shiney new stadium? Come on now, get real!

Everyone complains about the GAA not joining up, but the only ones this would benefit are Soccer and Rugby (to a lesser extent).

Can you tell me what benefit it would be to the GAA? Why is the onus on them, to share out what they have created, just because the FAI and IRFU don't have the same level of facilities? Its up to them invest, not for the GAA to hand out. Simple as that.

Christy Browne

People in this thread are laughably ignorant to the sheer amount of games that take place in Walsh Park every year.

Add in soccer and rugby and whatever other sport you can throw a stick at and the pitch would be in absolutely terrible condition for a lot of these games.

Deiseen

Christy Browne wrote: »

People in this thread are laughably ignorant to the sheer amount of games that take place in Walsh Park every year.

Add in soccer and rugby and whatever other sport you can throw a stick at and the pitch would be in absolutely terrible condition for a lot of these games.

Been trying to say this for hours now. People saying ya can just move all the games out of Walsh Park are not getting the message that players want to play in the stadiums and its huge for kids. Cant lose that for the sake of facilitating other sports just because they dont have the facilities! And clubs wont allow it.

914

Deiseen wrote: »

Can you tell me what benefit it would be to the GAA? Why is the onus on them, to share out what they have created, just because the FAI and IRFU don't have the same level of facilities? Its up to them invest, not for the GAA to hand out. Simple as that.

Revenue! The very same reason Croke Park was opened!

Locally in Waterford we have very few ways of generating revenue. Club games is one way which unfortunately have very poor attendances over the past few years.

It also wouldn't be the GAA creating the RSC. As it would be a combined effort by council, fai, irfu and athletics Ireland.

Currently the facilities at the RSC are far superior than any GAA ground in our county other than WIT Arena. So this is not a case of the GAA handing over their facilities.

This would be about unifying sport across Waterford, bringing a 21st century stadium to Waterford one that we can all be proud of.

Deiseen

914 wrote: »

Deiseen wrote: »

Can you tell me what benefit it would be to the GAA? Why is the onus on them, to share out what they have created, just because the FAI and IRFU don't have the same level of facilities? Its up to them invest, not for the GAA to hand out. Simple as that.

Revenue! The very same reason Croke Park was opened!

Locally in Waterford we have very few ways of generating revenue. Club games is one way which unfortunately have very poor attendances over the past few years.

It also wouldn't be the GAA creating the RSC. As it would be a combined effort by council, fai, irfu and athletics Ireland.

Currently the facilities at the RSC are far superior than any GAA ground in our county other than WIT Arena. So this is not a case of the GAA handing over their facilities.

This would be about unifying sport across Waterford, bringing a 21st century stadium to Waterford one that we can all be proud of.

Do you think the other organisations will be able to put as much money into this as the GAA? Then only for the GAA to be told, that they can't have a minor football final in there because its a minority sport?

Not happening!

914

Deiseen wrote: »

Do you think the other organisations will be able to put as much money into this as the GAA? Then only for the GAA to be told, that they can't have a minor football final in there because its a minority sport?

Not happening!

Not happening anyway as Walsh Park is the only deal in town, anything that we are discussing here is theoretical.

Instead of finding problems I prefer to find solutions, instead of closing doors, open them. With any development we will have problems and instead of just saying "no" and "not happening" why not say "how can we reslove this", "what issues might a rise and how can we slove them"

If the GAA were they main investor then it could be a case that they would have priority.

Minor football county final will never be in Walsh Park, never mind the RSC. Majority of football fixtures are in Faher as I previously stated. As the stronghold for football is in the West and it doesn't have the same following as hurling.

A few people lost the plot when a suggestion was made to have waterford v monaghan in Walsh Park in the football qualifier.

As for minor finals they often take place on week nights, the other main user of the RSC would be Waterfore Fc who's fixtures are mainly Fridays/Mondays. Soccer seasons rarely have changes unlike in GAA so it should be fairly straight forward to have a gaming/events committee set up to ensure all games could be played there.

Even just theoretical imagine the county board/GAA allowing Waterford FC to play in Walsh Park. (I'm not stating that either party would want this)

Every second week having somewhere between, depending on fixtures 1500-4000 people attending while the GAA getting a share of the gate receipts/rent for the ground, its a nice little earner. Like having a county final every second week.

We in Waterford need another stream of income in GAA as unfortunately we do not have a big enough club following and this has been stated over and over by Paddy Joe time and time again.

The RSC would mean less financial pressure, due to several parties involved, continued improvements to the RSC as it would have multiple ways of generating cash, money takin in by other sports, concerts etc

Deiseen

914 wrote: »

Deiseen wrote: »

Do you think the other organisations will be able to put as much money into this as the GAA? Then only for the GAA to be told, that they can't have a minor football final in there because its a minority sport?

Not happening!

Not happening anyway as Walsh Park is the only deal in town, anything that we are discussing here is theoretical.

Instead of finding problems I prefer to find solutions, instead of closing doors, open them. With any development we will have problems and instead of just saying "no" and "not happening" why not say "how can we reslove this", "what issues might a rise and how can we slove them"

If the GAA were they main investor then it could be a case that they would have priority.

Minor football county final will never be in Walsh Park, never mind the RSC. Majority of football fixtures are in Faher as I previously stated. As the stronghold for football is in the West and it doesn't have the same following as hurling.

A few people lost the plot when a suggestion was made to have waterford v monaghan in Walsh Park in the football qualifier.

As for minor finals they often take place on week nights, the other main user of the RSC would be Waterfore Fc who's fixtures are mainly Fridays/Mondays. Soccer seasons rarely have changes unlike in GAA so it should be fairly straight forward to have a gaming/events committee set up to ensure all games could be played there.

Even just theoretical imagine the county board/GAA allowing Waterford FC to play in Walsh Park. (I'm not stating that either party would want this)

Every second week having somewhere between, depending on fixtures 1500-4000 people attending while the GAA getting a share of the gate receipts/rent for the ground, its a nice little earner. Like having a county final every second week.

We in Waterford need another stream of income in GAA as unfortunately we do not have a big enough club following and this has been stated over and over by Paddy Joe time and time again.

The RSC would mean less financial pressure, due to several parties involved, continued improvements to the RSC as it would have multiple ways of generating cash, money takin in by other sports, concerts etc

And I've said, do you not think that the GAA will be looking to have as many games as possible in the new stadium? Just because a certain game isnt held in walsh park, doesnt mean they wouldn't want it in the new stadium.

In a perfect world, the GAA could make money from the blues. But seeing as thou they only get less than 2000 at each game, would they be able to pay the rent?

914

Deiseen wrote: »

And I've said, do you not think that the GAA will be looking to have as many games as possible in the new stadium? Just because a certain game isnt held in walsh park, doesnt mean they wouldn't want it in the new stadium.

In a perfect world, the GAA could make money from the blues. But seeing as thou they only get less than 2000 at each game, would they be able to pay the rent?

Honestly I don't think they would be looking to have as many games as possible in a new stadium as that would leave faher unused, supporters/players in the west frustrated with having to travel the hole time.

The same could be said when we put €5 million into walsh park, would the GAA or county board not want all games or as many as possible to take place there? Western fixtures, football fixtures can't see it either way.

As for Waterford FC they currently pay rent in the RSC, and with the new owner present, I'm sure rent wouldn't be an issue.

914

Just to add I am a 110% GAA man, my time spent in the RSC is for atheltics so this is not a case of me wanting the GAA to open up so other sports can jump on a benefit.

I feel waterford has an opportunity to creating a new vision of ireland where all sports participate together, doing away with this, my sport is better than your sport bull. Sport no matter what code is hugely beneficial to kids and if we had a one fits all ground in Waterford we could be inspiring the youth of our county to participate more while making Waterford a sporting stronghold, this would also have huge benefits to the local economy.

Deiseen

914 wrote: »

Just to add I am a 110% GAA man, my time spent in the RSC is for atheltics so this is not a case of me wanting the GAA to open up so other sports can jump on a benefit.

I feel waterford has an opportunity to creating a new vision of ireland where all sports participate together, doing away with this, my sport is better than your sport bull. Sport no matter what code is hugely beneficial to kids and if we had a one fits all ground in Waterford we could be inspiring the youth of our county to participate more while making Waterford a sporting stronghold, this would also have huge benefits to the local economy.

I agree with you there. What are the dimensions of an athletics track? Would it fit within a GAA field?

914

No, atheltic track would not fit around a GAA pitch that is why it would need to be moved to one of the football pitches behind the main pitch with a small stand for spectators.

Had a fella giving me stick one night, how self centered the GAA are by not incorporating a running track when they redeveloped Croke Park.

Got great satisfaction telling him it wouldn't fit around a GAA pitch and asking why it wasn't done in the Aviva 😀

Deiseen

914 wrote: »

No, atheltic track would not fit around a GAA pitch that is why it would need to be moved to one of the football pitches behind the main pitch with a small stand for spectators.

Had a fella giving me stick one night, how self centered the GAA are by not incorporating a running track when they redeveloped Croke Park.

Got great satisfaction telling him it wouldn't fit around a GAA pitch and asking why it wasn't done in the Aviva 😀

What i mean is, through some ingenuity, could you have a running track, gaa field and soccer pitch? I have seen a pitch that does this in the US. it's got different layers and retracts away depending on sport/eveng being held.

Starting to get into the big money for this kind of system thou!