Tipp misses out on large scale funding investment
There was double disappointment for Tipperary last week after no projects were chosen as part of the government’s €173 million investment from its Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
By Shane Brophy
Tipperary GAA and FBD Semple Stadium both submitted applications for funding for development and refurbishment works but were not one of the 35 successful projects.
Tipperary GAA submitted an application for funding towards the multi-pitch development on the TUS Campus in Thurles. The project includes three playing pitches, one of which is a full-sized all-weather, with covered stand and dressing rooms. Tennis Ireland were also part of the submission as they have plans for a regional centre on the campus.
County GAA CEO Murtagh Brennan admitted his “disappointment” at not receiving any funding with stakeholders on the project to meet and review where to go from here as it is a project the County Board are committed to with clubs asked to provide financial support earlier this year to complete the design phase.
FBD Semple Stadium also applied for funding for remedial works at the famed venue, in terms of improving the spectator facilities in the Kinane Stand, and pitch works.
Earlier this year, Munster GAA chief executive Kieran Leddy revealed in his annual report that FBD Semple Stadium required a €4m investment for works “that are mainly maintenance in nature and will add nothing in terms of spectator or player facilities".
In 2020, Tipperary revealed plans to refurbish the Kinane stand. Planning permission has been granted up until 2025 to install corporate facilities on a second tier and a gym as well as other amenities, while the TUS project was initially announced in 2018 but a shovel still hasn’t made a dent in the ground.
It is a double blow for the county considering three other GAA projects in Munster were successful in the LSSIF, including, €6 million for the reconstruction of Fitzgerald Stadium’s west terrace in Killarney, the completion of Clare GAA’s centre of excellence in Caherlohan (€3.2m).
In relation to the LSSIF applications which have not received an allocation, the department of Arts, Culture, Media, & Sport, will publish a reserve list in the coming period on which all valid applications will be placed and assessed. When additional LSSIF funding becomes available, it is envisaged that projects on the reserve list can then be funded.
All applications submitted under the LSSIF Fund were required to have the prioritised endorsement of a National Governing Body for Sport (NGB) or a Local Authority with Tipperary receiving both from the GAA and Tipperary County Council.
This prioritisation was one of a number of factors taken into account in the assessment and ultimate ranking of projects. It was informed by factors such as the potential to enhance sports participation, sustainability, similar access for both men and women, and the ability to execute the project within a specified timeframe.
Projects allocated LSSIF funding will now proceed to further evaluation and due diligence processes, which will vary in extent and nature based on the size and specifics of each project.
A new “use it or lose it” clause has been introduced which will ensure that if there has been no drawdown of any part of a grant within 2-3 years (timelines may vary from project to project), or before a new LSSIF round is announced, the grant offer will be deemed withdrawn.
The allocation of €173 million follows earlier announcements this year, which included €26 million for sports equipment and €230 million under the Community Sport Facilities Fund, bringing the total investment in sports capital and recreation for 2024 to €429 million.