Ballygunner GAA - Development

Development

In 1994, Ballygunner GAA finally acquired a permanent playing field beside the new national school. In 1996, a two-storey clubhouse was built with two dressing rooms, toilets, a referees' changing room and a small canteen.

After 2001, it was realised that to cope with the huge influx of young juveniles, and to provide adequate facilities, a great deal of time and money would have to be invested. Under chairman Pat O'Sullivan, a development plan was put into place. Phase 1 of the project involved extending of the clubhouse which would include two new dressing rooms and a meeting/trophy room. Next was the purchasing of 8 acres (32,000 m2) adjoining the current site. On this site, plans were put down for a new top-quality floodlit all-weather pitch, a hurling and handball ally, a floodlit AstroTurf and a state-of-the-art indoor hurling arena with new clubhouse facilities. For the club's 50th anniversary in 2004, the hurling ally and all-weather pitch were finished. Fencing was erected around the new field and a scoreboard was put in place for the day. Then president of the GAA, Sean Kelly, officially opened the new facilities.

Another phase of development was started in 2006. An AstroTurf was to be built between the old and new pitches. Towards the end of that year, the astroturf was completed. Then construction on the largest and most expensive project ever undertaken by a Waterford club could begin.

At a cost of approx. €1.5 million, the indoor arena would be built across from the AstroTurf. Construction began in the summer of 2008. At the current time, the main structure has been built, the astro turf floor has been laid and construction is close to completion on the adjoining pavilion.