The Connacht GAA Council today celebrates a milestone date in the history of the province with the official opening of the state of the art Connacht GAA Centre at Cloonacurry, Bekan, Claremorris, Co Mayo.
Today's event marks the completion of Phases One and Two of the ambitious project which has been in the planning since 2008 and the construction of which commenced two years ago.

In total €8m has been invested in the facility, €4m of which was generated locally with the remainder coming from central funds and the funds generated specifically from the rental of Croke Park for games in other sporting codes.

While the facility will serve inter-county teams and development squads, it is a 40 minute drive to 90 of the province's clubs and will also serve the educational sectors.

Connacht chairman Frank Burke said: "Today marks a very special day in the proud history of Connacht GAA and one that has the potential to take Gaelic games activity in the province to the next level in terms of planning, preparation and the strategic approach to our games.

"The facility that you see here today is testimony to the hard work of a dedicated team charged with its delivery and of course the wider support of the GAA Community across the province.

"The scale of the development is such that no area of our charter has been left out and I look forward to seeing the benefits which will accrue from making such excellent facilities available to our players and members at every level of the GAA in Connacht in addition to the Second and Third level education sectors and our sister organisations in Camogie and Ladies Football."

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Liam Ó Néill added: "There is no doubt that today is a stand out occasion for everyone connected with the GAA in Connacht in whatever capacity.

"The realisation of this project should be a source of great pride for everyone who has been connected with and indeed anyone who has an interest in our games in the province.

"It is a facility to compare with the best and the attention to detail which has been brought to bear on the development will ensure that our games in Connacht have been left on a secure footing for many years to come."

The vision of the Connacht Council was in keeping with the GAA National Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009/2015 which states "The Association is engaging in an ambitious initiative to develop a network of Centres of Excellence around the country. These centres will comprise of natural grass, synthetic playing pitches, floodlights, and ancillary facilities which will serve the needs of county teams, development squads, club, schools and colleges. These centres will encourage and facilitate increased participation and be of great benefit to the playing of our club and school games and our recreational games."

The project was approved and supported by Coiste Bainistí and Ard Chomhairle in March 2008.

Phase One dealt with all of the grounds work, pitches, car parks, perimeter walk/track,
3G Pitch and floodlighting of the entire facility.

Phase Two saw the completion of the physical building and landscaping of the surrounding area.

Phase Three will see the construction of an Indoor 3G Playing Pitch with a Functional Stand attached.

The Centre's Facilities

The Centre is comprised of the following:-

• Five full size Prunty pitches.
• One 3G Pitch
• Perimeter walking/running track (2.2 Klms)
• Flood Lighting for five of the six pitches
• Parking:

Main Building
The main building is comprised of:-
1. Reception Area and Office
2. Six Dressing Rooms/Referees Rooms
3. Three Meeting Rooms
4. Lecture Theatre
5. Board Room
6. An Analysis Suite
7. Gymnasiusm
8. Functional Movement Room
9. Two Physio Rooms
10. Dining Hall and Kitchen
11. Six Administration Offices
12. Four Storage Rooms

It is intended that the Connacht GAA Centre will be the focal point for all GAA matters in Connacht and will be used by all units within the GAA Family. The building is multi-purpose and will house all the Provincial Administrative activities.

It is also envisaged that the facilities and services provided in the centre will have a significant positive impact on Referee, Coach, Player Welfare and Development and Club Development. The forthcoming appointment of a Provincial Strength and Conditioning Coach will further copper fasten and complement the existing services.

The Match Analysis and Testing Equipment will give teams an opportunity to evaluate their performances in a manner that was heretofore very costly and extremely difficult to access.

Who will use the facility?

1. Administrators from the Province and all Counties and Clubs.

2. Cumann na mBunscoil

• Festival of Gaelic Games for Primary Schools
• School Tours

3. Second Level Schools

• School Games
• Supertouch Blitzes,

4. Club Teams

• Club Games
• Testing/Analysis

5. Academies/Development Squads
All the Provincial competitions that are currently in existence, e.g. Sean Purcell, Ted Webb, Dermot Earley, Connolly Cunniffe, Niall McInerney, Provincial Féile competitions will now take place in the Centre.

6. Third Level

7. Inter County Teams

• Coaching and Games
• Assessment Analysis

8. Referees
• Referee Training and Education

9. Coaches

• Coach Education
• Seminars
• Forums

Summary
The Connacht GAA Centre is a facility that will create an environment where administrators, referees, coaches and players will convene to learn from one another and access all other consultancies that will further contribute to their development. The Centre is also available for teams throughout the country and abroad to come and use all the facilities.

Note: Assorted imagery from today's launch and of the complex in general is available on request from the sources listed below.

For further information contact:
Adrian Hassett at adrian.hassett.connacht@gaa.ie
or
GAA Communications Manager Alan Milton at alan.milton@gaa.ie