SMITH O’Brien’s GAA Club has received the green light for the construction of a new €100,000 multi-use games area (MUGA).
Approval has also been granted for associated side fencing and netting, artificial grass surface, floodlighting and all associated ancillary and incidental works.
The local authority considered the development would not seriously injure the area’s amenities.
Clare County Council has passed the club’s planning application for its proposed works at their grounds in Shantraud, Killaloe, subject to three planning conditions.
Prior to the start of the development, the club must submit full specification of the proposed floodlights, including wattage, for the written agreement of the planning authority.
The floodlights have to be directed onto the playing surfaces of the astroturf pitch and have to be directed and cowled to avoid glare on the adjacent properties.
According to the planning conditions, flood lighting on the site can only operate between the hours of 7am and 9.30pm only in the interest of traffic safety and residential amenity.
Any fencing has to be plastic coated in accordance with details received by the planning authority on February 15 last in the interest of visual amenity.
The proposed floodlights must not impact public road users, according to a submission to the planning authority from the Killaloe Municipal District.
The planning approval gives the club the go-ahead to proceed with a 45 by 25 metre outdoor astro turf facility with a modern 4G finish and floodlighting.
Smith O’Brien’s secretary, Frank Tucker, confirmed the club are looking to the future and are planning to make an application for the 2021 Sports Capital Grant to help finance this new facility, which is estimated to cost €100,000.
“We have a growing membership and the pitch is busy five nights a week. The outdoor astro turf will give teams or sporting groups another option to use. The weather we had last winter and autumn was quite bad with sleet and snow.”
In an interview with the Clare Champion, Mr Tucker said the outdoor astroturf facility would be ideal for U-10 and U-12 training, sprint work or a game involving five-a-side.
While it may take a few years before the club gets the finance to proceed with the outdoor astroturf facility, Mr Tucker outlined it is part of their vision for providing the most modern, top-class training facilities for hurling and camogie players.
He explained it will be a big addition to the club when it is completed and provides another training option for various hurling and camogie teams.
In addition to the provision of floodlighting and a three-sided fence, a hurling wall will be provided at the gable end of the facility.
Club chairman, Patrick Aherne recalled underage training last year when children under seven years of age were learning skills in the mud.
Putting the new facility in place will involve a lot of earth removal, ground works, drainage, sand and work on laying the new surface.
The club completed a big clean up day on its grounds recently before the resumption of training, which was carried out in compliance with all Covid-19 guidelines.
Club members volunteered to clean the seats and other areas in the covered stand, the toilets and the pitches for use.
Mr Ahearne said it was great to see everyone working so well together for the clean up day.

By Dan Danaher