The delay in making a decision on the proposed floodlights plan for Pearse Stadium is “difficult to understand” and is costing the city in sporting and economic terms.
This is the view of Fianna Fáil city councillor Ollie Crowe who is calling on the Galway City Council’s planning department to approve the floodlights.
Cllr Crowe pointed out that Galway was being “left behind”, as McHale Park in Castlebar, the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, and Semple Stadium in Tipperary all have floodlights.
“Floodlights are no longer a luxury but now a necessity,” he said. “The benefits of this plan for Pearse Stadium far outweigh any minor drawbacks.”
Cllr Crowe said he was aware of the concerns from residents living near Pearse Stadium. However he pointed out the Connacht Rugby pitch at The Sportsground was also in a residential area and that there had been no issues or complaints with evening games.
“Furthermore, College Road is one of the main routes into the City and for the majority of evening games, there is little disturbance to the flow of traffic,” he added.
He also said The Sportsground is “an excellent example of the benefits of a floodlit stadium”.
“Evening matches in the Sportsground provide an excellent boost to the local economy, with increased spending in hotels, restaurants and bars on match evenings,” he said. “Travelling supporters will be more inclined to spend an evening in Salthill or the city centre for an evening match so this benefit should not be underestimated.”
Regarding Pearse Stadium, he said the GAA had no plans to hold championship fixtures under floodlights, but rather for a limited number of league games, which attract lower attendance.
He also said the GAA County Board has made significant efforts to meet the concerns of the residents with reduced level of illumination, floodlights limited to a certain number of games, reduced mast heights, and a parking and traffic management plan.
