The Wolfe Tones GAA club has been informed that an upgrade to an existing water connection for a proposed new clubhouse will cost a staggering €140,000 euros.
The club who are based on the southside of Drogheda are worried the water connection issue is now a serious barrier to the proposed project proceeding.
They had a Budget of €600,000 for their new clubhouse and currently have €200,000 in the bank between €75,000 from fundraising and a government sports grant of €133,000 .The water connection bill is already taking up the bulk of the funds they currently have.
The issue was raised by Senator Alison Comyn in the Seanad last week who said:” Wolfe Tones GAA club in Drogheda for example has raised more than €75,000 itself and secured sports grants approvals of €133,000. Yet the club has been left really disheartened to learn that upgrading an existing water connection for a new clubhouse would cost. €140,000, a sum that would wipe out its entire grant and eat into its fundraising.
“That cost alone would jeopardise its €600,000 clubhouse project, leaving it unable to proceed to the next phase or even reapply for another sports capital grant as the current one would be consumed by a single utility bill.
“The club currently has over €200,000 in cash ready to go. A waiver or reduction of the €140,000 connection fee would be the difference between the project stalling indefinitely or going ahead to provide a much needed community facility for a rapidly expanding area that straddles both Louth and east Meath.”
She is demanding the Dept of Housing, Environment and Local Government intervene and help the Tones.
