Sport

Sod to be turned on redevelopment of Waterford's Walsh Park today

Sod to be turned on redevelopment of Waterford's Walsh Park today
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After more than four years in planning, the redevelopment of Waterford's Walsh Park will finally begin in the coming days.

That's according to Waterford County Board Chairman, Seán Michael O'Regan as the sod is set to be turned today.

Minister of State for Sports, Jack Chambers will do the honours, with GAA President Larry McCarthy also in attendance.

"It's exciting times," Seán Michael told WLR, "because as you know and as your listeners know - certainly in Waterford GAA circles - it's a long time coming and being discussed for a long time.

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"The fact that it's here now, I'm delighted and looking forward now to getting it started."

It's hoped the first phase will be completed ahead of the Déise's first home game of the 2023 championship, which is against Limerick in late April.

Phase 1

Phase 1 will consist of a new, uncovered, possibly 3,400-seated stand in the Northern Terrace, across from the main stand.

The existing Southern Stand will also be refurbished and that will include roof modifications to the press area and improvements to the existing toilets underneath the Southern Stand as well.

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The timber seats will also be taken away and replaced with newer, pop-up seats.

"The overall costing - and obviously, it could change by the time we get to the end goal - is coming in at around €12 million," Seán Michael explained.

"It's going to be in three phases and phase one will begin as soon as we can."

The four main stakeholders funding the project are Waterford GAA, Munster Council, Croke Park's National Finance Committee, and the Government.

Phases 2 and 3

The initial phase is expected to cost €3.2 million and Seán Michael O'Regan says the following two phases should be ready to go once that's finished.

"While Phase 1 is starting, we will get straight into Phase 2's design stage - finishing off the design.

"The high level work for Phase 2 is Keane's Road. Construction there is set to start in 2024 and we're going to have a covered 1,300-seated stand, along with the facilities that are required, as in dressing rooms and an administration building as well.

"And then Phase 3 will be the last phase, which is down at the city end terrace - just tidying up that, turning it into a bank with a new entrance down there.

"That could be 2025."

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