Connacht GAA facilty will be world’s biggest
The biggest indoor sports pitch anywhere in the world is set to be completed by Connacht GAA later this year. The details were announced at the launch of the 2019 Connacht Senior Football Championship on Tuesday at the GAA Centre of Excellence in Ballyhaunis.
The presentation was given by Connacht Council Secretary John Prenty and Roscommon footballer and Coaching and Games Development Manager Cathal Cregg. The project will cost in the region of €3.5 million and it is hoped that it will be completed by December.
The new ‘Air Dome’ will be 150 metres long and 100 metres wide. It will be 26 metres in height and will feature a full-size GAA pitch suitable for the staging of all games up to senior inter-county level in hurling and football.
Cathal Cregg explained that the pitch will be laid first and then the dome assembled. The weather-prood dome is operated with generators that will pump air into the huge structure and will be kept inflated at all times.
“We are going to concentrate our coaching and games development into this new dome and we know it will be a huge success,” said John Prenty.
A grant for €2.1 million has been received for the project from the Department of Rural and Community Development.
“What people should remember is that this project will not cost the counties or the clubs any money at all. It will be fully paid for out of GAA resources which is a marvellous achievement. I am hoping that we can have it up and running by the first week in December and it will be open to every club and county in Connacht,” concluded John Prenty.
In addition to being able to stage matches up to senior level indoors, there will be room for 600 spectators as well. There will also be office space, a gym and a testing area.
