Green Light for Nenagh AFC’s new Astro pitch
After many months of planning and work behind the scenes, Nenagh AFC is delighted to announce its plans for the refurbishment and extension of the astroturf at its grounds at Brickfields.
Work will begin on this exciting development in mid-September and is expected to take four weeks to complete.
Originally built in the early noughties, the present pitch measuring 45mx35m has served the club well for two decades and was the first of its kind in North Tipperary.
The new refurbished pitch will measure 70mx45m with a 4G surface. This will be a huge asset for Nenagh AFC and will guarantee the best quality training facility during the winter months for many years to come.
After a few false dawns, Nenagh AFC recently secured a major loan from the community loan finance company Clan Credo who have been greatly impressed with the Brickfields development and the commitment of the committee.
Coupled with this, Nenagh AFC had secured a loan from the FAI some years ago which will now be drawn down to support this project. Recently also Nenagh AFC was awarded a grant from the Community Recognition Fund through Tipperary County Council which will be used to replace the original existing lighting with modern LED floodlighting. Along with its own fundraising projects, these grants and loan have allowed the club to take on this project at a cost in excess of €200,000.
Commenting on this development, Chairperson of Nenagh AFC Brickfields Ltd., Shane O’Gorman said “the new astroturf is the final piece in the Brickfields jigsaw and will ensure a top quality training facility for all club members and teams as well as being available to other local organisations, schools and individuals for training purposes and playing soccer.”
Brickfields Secretary Greg Browne thanked the various agencies and organisations, both public and private that have supported this project and that have shown faith in Nenagh AFC.
Treasurer Shay Coffey asked all members of Nenagh AFC to support this initiative by joining the club Lotto on a yearly basis through direct debit, clubforce or by cash payment.
Outlining that the upper floor of the clubhouse has just recently been renovated and that the driveway had completed for safety, Mr Coffey said that, without the continued support of our members and the public, Brickfields would not be the top quality facility that it has now become.
After a tendering process, Emerald Pitch Development Ltd was awarded the contract. This company, based in Edenderry, Co. Offaly, is one of the most reputable in Ireland for both grass and synthetic pitches, having completed numerous projects over twenty two years including at FAI headquarters in Abbottstown and Athlone Town FC. Local electrical contractor O’Gorman Electrical is upgrading the floodlighting.
With the new soccer season beginning, these are exciting times for Nenagh AFC. The new astroturf will have a dividing net to allow it to be split in two as required. Topsoil and subsoil will be available to anyone seeking same when the work begins by contacting Shay Coffey 0877567911 or Greg Browne 0851708133. Bookings can be made through these numbers.
From humble beginnings in 1951, Nenagh AFC now has grounds which are the envy of most soccer clubs and will now be further enhanced by this latest development. With over two-hundred playing members of all ages, this new enlarged astroturf will be available to all club teams, while having daily public hours also for use.
Brickfields is now one of the most used facilities in North Tipperary, not just by Nenagh AFC, but by several other local and regional organisations and groups, both sporting and non-sporting. Once completed, the astroturf will further expand the use of the grounds and will provide much needed revenue to run the club.