Walsh Park Phase 2 plans revealed as work continues
Walsh Park Phase 2 project set to roll on. Photo: INPHO
Plans for Phase 2 of the Walsh Park redevelopment were shown to club delegates at Monday night’s county board meeting in Dungarvan. Construction work is due to get underway after the Munster hurling championship next summer.
Members of the Project Oversight Team Eugene McKenna, Paudie Coffey and Michael Walsh gave a comprehensive presentation outlining the proposed enhancements at the City End and the Keane’s Road End of the ground.
Four new dressing rooms and an administration building will be developed at the City End. 480 seats will also be installed. A new terrace, facilitating 3,950 supporters, will be constructed at the Keane’s Road End with the option of building a stand at a later date. More seats will be added to the North Stand.
The finished product will accommodate approximately 13,000 spectators (4,700 in the South Stand, 3,700 in the North Stand, 3,950 at the Keane's Road End and 480 at the City End). “Delivering a completed niche stadium for Waterford, that’s the aim,” said McKenna.
Wheelchair and reduced mobility access was a priority for the committee. McKenna accepted that the existing viewing area is too low. Once Phase 2 is completed, wheelchair users and fans with reduced mobility will be accommodated at the back of the South Stand. “They will all be prime viewing seats,” McKenna stated. “That’s what we should have.” A lift will take spectators to disabled toilets on Level 1 while Level 2 will allow access to the back row of the stand.
The existing administration building will receive a facelift while the current dressing rooms will be removed. The entrances at Keane’s Road and Slievekeale Road will be upgraded to deliver a modern looking front of house. A pitch irrigation system will be installed as well as roof solar panels to achieve a carbon neutral stadium.
A change in planning permission will be required but former Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council Michael Walsh isn’t concerned by that. “It’s only a variation,” he reassured delegates. “There’s no risk from a planning perspective.” Following a question from Central Council delegate Brendan Tobin, McKenna confirmed that there will be no bus parking at the City End. “If we bring buses in, we lose circulation space.”
Details of the costs for Phase 2 were held in-camera. The committee told the meeting that the stadium completion can be achieved without further recourse to the clubs or the board for money.
“We have a very positive news story for Waterford,” said Paudie Coffey. “The pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. It won’t be an additional burden for clubs.”
County treasurer Kieran Geary informed delegates that ticket sales for the Déise Draw increased by fourteen per cent this year. 6,148 tickets were sold for the last draw. He thanked PRO Richard Tobin, the clubs and WLR for their support.
The 2024 accounts are currently with the auditors. “They are going in the right direction overall.” UNDER 19 HURLING Former Waterford attacker Gavin O’Brien has been appointed as manager of the new Under 19 Hurling Development Squad. The Roanmore score getter has been part of the Déise minor backroom team under James O’Connor for the past two seasons.
Vice-chairman Neil Moore says that subs might be moved out of the stand for club games next year.
“There have been a few incidents this year where subs are getting too excited in the stand. They are very close together and tempers are getting heated. There’s an incident going to happen soon if nothing happens.”
Chairman Sean Michael O’Regan has received a couple of distressing reports from supporters. “We’ve had elderly people come to us in shock and horror. They see subs shouting at each other with such vulgarity. Names I cannot repeat. It’s a getting a bit untasty, not nice for sure. It seems to be a planned thing. Make as much noise as you possibly can. We need, as an association and as human beings, to look at it.”
Fourmilewater delegate Paddy Joe Ryan highlighted a one sided game in the Under 20 A football championship.
The Nire defeated St Pat’s/Naomh Bríd 9-16 to 0-3 in Cappoquin. “It was embarrassing. The man on the scoreboard stopped at 7-12! It was just as embarrassing for us as it was for them. I know it is hard to get the grading right but how is there such a disparity between the two teams?”
County secretary Pat Flynn replied that the grading was based on performances in the minor championship two years ago. “St Pat’s were in the Division 1 semi-final, The Nire won Division 2,” he explained.
Outgoing county board chairman Sean Michael O’Regan will run for the role of Munster vice-chairman in the New Year. Munster Convention will take place in Tralee on January 10.
Kill delegate Tommy Hennessy strongly criticised Central Council’s decision to put pre-season competitions on hold for 2025. “It was a horrendous decision to withdraw. It was an insult to the sponsors of these competitions. It’s another way of putting levies on county boards. Counties will have to play challenges now.”
Tim O’Byrne was appointed as Children’s Officer. Mac Dara Mac Donncha will continue as Planning and Training Officer. The position of Demographics Officer remains vacant. “We’re struggling to fill that role,” O’Regan admitted.
