Patrick McGinley, Owenie McGarvey and Charles Doogan on the job as the first Floodlight base goes in.
At a time when most businesses and community groups have battened down the hatches during tough economic times…Naomh Muire GAA Club in West Donegal have taken the opposite route.
Naomh Muire are situated between the two well known club areas of Dungloe and Gweedore but enjoy a very strong community support in all they set out to do.
Already possessing good quality facilities at the home in the Banks, Kincasslagh, the club sees an opportunity through the tough times to push ahead with the erection of top standard floodlights and additional changing rooms together with a social room.
The club looked into the possibility of match standard Floodlights last year as a long term investment to allow for the ability to play and coach in the winter months.
Club and Community unite to get the cement bases in.
Although some of the systems were quoted at €300,000, a local contractor with extensive experience in the UK was able to source a high quality floodlighting system for €80,000 based on local workers acting in a voluntary basis.
Likewise, the additional changing rooms were costed based on voluntary labour and the entire project will cost the club €140,000.
This huge saving is brought about because the club have been promised local carpenters, labourers, plumbers, electricians, painters…who will give hours for no payment allowing the club to purchase materials and equipment only.
Naomh Muire have borrowed €100,000 and this will be re-paid through their 100 club. Other monies have been raised in recent times through a Mayor election, Boxing night, Jigs and Reels and this months Jive alive….in total around €60,000….all coming from local community support at these events.
To date no grant aid has been given and the Club are hopeful that either Roinn na Gaeltachta or Leader funders will see the huge local contribution this development will make in the Lower Rosses.
Michael Gallagher- Club development officer said “This has been a project on paper for over a year now and many meetings and hurdles were jumped to get to this point today. The benefits of the work will be seen in the years ahead”.
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