The extension of the Hill 16 terrace, the final phase of the Croke Park redevelopment, will be fully completed in time for the All-Ireland finals next September. Demolition work has now started and, with much of the construction work to be carried out off site, disruption to the earlier rounds of next summer's championship will be minimal.
Having decided to press ahead with the project despite some financial pressures, the GAA is now looking forward to an increased stadium capacity of 82,300 for the climax of next year's championship. According to Peter McKenna, Croke Park stadium director, the completion deadline of next September is "a commitment, and not an aspiration".
Central to the GAA's ability to adopt the short schedule for the redevelopment work is the large amount of construction that will be completed off site. Much of the terracing will be pre-cast in specially designed moulds which were made in South Africa, and then transported to Croke Park for assembly.
"This particular phase of the redevelopment will see the majority of the work carried out off site," explained McKenna, "and in that regard it is very different from the three previous phases of the work done at Croke Park.
"After the various pieces have been pre-cast, they will then be assembled on the site a bit like Lego bricks. So even though it is a very tight programme the new terrace area will be ready for temporary occupation next August, and will be fully completed in time for the All-Ireland finals in September.
"And that is a commitment, not an aspiration. We have made the obligation now to have the stadium at its full capacity for next year's All-Ireland finals."
Since the completion of the new Hogan Stand last year the Croke Park capacity has been set at 79,500. The previous Hill 16 terrace held a little over 10,000, but when extended across the entire northern end of the stadium, including the old Nally Stand area, the capacity of the terrace will increase to 12,700 - taking the stadium capacity to 82,300.
The redevelopment work will mean that the terracing will be out of operation for most of the championship, including Dublin's opening date in the Leinster football championship on June 6th, when they play either Westmeath or Offaly. But the work won't actually interfere with any of the games scheduled for the venue.
The exact cost of the redevelopment has yet to be finalised, but is known to be in the region of €27 million.
That will push the GAA borrowings close to around the €90 million mark, far exceeding the recommended figure. Yet it was decided to press ahead with the work rather than seek any postponement, which would inevitably raise the cost even further.
When completed the new terrace area will only bear a slight resemblance to the previous Hill 16. Included in the plans is the permanent installation of a giant TV screen, and part of the terrace area is specifically designed for families.
"Essentially the new area will be divided into four parts," added McKenna. "That will allow people to enter and exit in a far more organised and balanced way, and take around 60 per cent of the people off the narrow streets that previously provided the main access to the area.
"And it was always important for us to maintain a terraced area. It is a very important part of the atmosphere of Croke Park, and also offers than more affordable alternative for students, and other supporters who would normally head to the terraces."
The GAA's other major development plan to build a four-star hotel directly across from the Hogan Stand entrance to Croke Park remains in a far more infant stage. Three appeals have been lodged against their request for planning permission, although McKenna remains confident the association will receive the desired news when a decision is made next January.
"This is a fairly standard planning permission we are seeking. And I wouldn't anticipate any difficulties that could not be worked out. Of course you can never be sure in these situations but I am confident we have a very strong proposal, a very large part of which is about the rejuvenating of the area."
It was announced earlier this week, meanwhile, that the Clare County Board has been granted the necessary planning permission by Ennis Urban District Council to proceed with their plans for a €5 million redevelopment of Cusack Park, Ennis.
The existing 3,000-seater stand will be replaced by a new 7,000-seater, which will run the full length of one side of the field. The construction work is due to start at the beginning of February next year, which will mean the venue is likely to be closed for most of the year.
As a result the Munster football championship first round tie between Kerry and Clare, which was due to be played in Ennis on May 23rd, is now likely to be refixed for an alternative venue.
