Inside Track: It’s worth paying a visit to see the progress that’s been made on county grounds

It’s like most other building sites, plenty of rubble, cranes, a perimeter fence and because of the heavy rain that’s been falling lately, no shortage of puddles.

However, different from all other sites, the one where Louth GAA’s new stadium is going to stand has a mighty structure to the right, viewed from Dundalk’s Inner Relief Road.

READ NEXT: Inside Track: Dundalkisms you don’t hear nowadays

It’s only a shell now, but it’s still easy to envisage what it will look like when building is complete.

This grandstand in the making will run the length of the field, and when the first game is played at the venue – planned for the National League this time next year – there’ll be seating for 4,000 people.

The site is worth a visit if only to take in a look at its outstanding feature. Building at its rear is also in progress. Here, there’ll be dressingrooms and facilities for other activities.

What’s ongoing is phase 1 of the project, which also includes the laying of a playing pitch.

Its cost has been put in the region of €26 million, a figure that’s expected to be reached by an accumulation of IIP money – often referred to as the ‘Chinese Money’ – a Croke Park grant, naming rights, seat sales, a contribution from clubs and a Theatre of Dreams draw, for which tickets are currently on sale from clubs and at supermarkets.

It’s the second such draw. The first one, held a couple of years ago, was for two houses, and was a huge success. On offer this time is a cash prize of €200,000, with a number of draws between now and August, when the big one is held.

Phase 2 of the work will include the building of a covered terrace, estimated to cost €7 million. Commencement of work on this could depend on a Government grant becoming available.

Seven years have passed since work first began on acquiring a county grounds, the aim being to fill a void that had caused so much embarrassment, the county unable to take advantage of a home championship draw, among other things.

The site was chosen, and in early 2020, then-GAA President John Horan, turned the first sod. Ironically, it was the same man who stepped in to head a Croke Park-strong committee at a time when there was a danger the project might not become a reality.

From being a county often ridiculed for its absence of a decent ground, Louth will in due course become as well-equipped as most others.

There’ll be the county ground to go along with the much-praised Darver Centre of Excellence, which, since it was first opened, has been invaluable in the preparation of county teams and in staging club and, on occasions, county matches.