In 2015 we were granted full planning to move ahead with our Clubhouse and Grounds Development. Since we first constructed and nurtured our Grounds at Ratheniska, we had put capital development on hold, focusing on our on the pitch matters for a number of years, as we grew our Juvenile Club and won titles in our adult Club at County and Provincial Level.
However in 2015 it was decided, as part of our Strategic Development Plan, to upscale some parts of our Grounds, which would include a new gym for our Clubhouse, while also upgrading our canteen facilities as well as increasing dressing room space, while also constructing a Huling Ball Wall and Equipment Shed in the lower corner of our Grounds.
We were delighted to announce planning had been granted by Laois County Council for the proposed redevelopment works on our Clubhouse and Grounds. Our Committee, and more specifically Sub Committee, worked hard along with Celine Cole to come up with the best way to maximise our current holdings while at the same time minimising disruption and works on the grounds. We believe the attached plans will best suit the changing needs, while maintaining the current appealing aesthetic which we have in our picturesque area, of our members over the coming years and once complete will give us one of the finest facilities in the County.
In 2016 we broke ground on our Development, beginning what we termed Phase 1 of our plan. This entailed the construction of our Hurling Ball Wall and Equipment Shed. It was decided to postpone the Clubhouse element until 2017, so as best to avail of the Sports Capital Grants, should we be deemed suitable.
To allow for the Ball Wall, we first had to remove the hedge, adjust the Juvenile Pitch Ball Catcher, and realign the Juvenile Pitch. While realigning the Juvenile Pitch, we also took the opportunity to replace the goalposts with a brand new set.
In 2019, thanks to assistance from An Roinn Iompair Turasóireachta agus Spóirt and specifically the Sports Capital Grant, we were able to begin construction on the main element of our Clubhouse and Grounds Redevelopment.
After 2 years of planning, we began our Clubhouse Redevelopment in late 2019. In a tumultuous time, we were able to navigate our way through lockdowns to emerge in 2021 with our development completed. Our grounds now include extended meeting and kitchen facilities, increased changing room capacity, a gym/strength & conditioning area as well as being accessible for those with disabilities, while also being brought up to the latest standards in fire coding.
We thank each and everyone of those who helped out over the course of the works, our builder Derek Conlon Carpentry, our own Mark Carroll Electrical, and especially our members and the wider Park & Ratheniska Communities for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you back inside our Grounds again very very soon.
We continued with our Developments in 2022 when we installed our fully floodlit Walking Track in the Club, once again assisted by An Roinn Iompair Turasóireachta agus Spóirt and specifically the Sports Capital Grant. Installed by Brian Kelly and Mark Carroll, it has been a wonderful addition to the Club, giving a safe environment to our members to exercise and socialise especially in the long cold dark winter months. It has given rise to our Couch to 5K initiative as we as our Walking Group and Ireland Lights Up groups. All in all it has been one of the most positive Community Developments we have undertaken.
Following on from this, and once again with the assistance of An Roinn Iompair Turasóireachta agus Spóirt and specifically the Sports Capital Grant, along with our own Fundraising efforts from the recent visits of the National Ploughing Championships to our area, we have been able to push forward with our latest development, overhauling our Floodlights in the Grounds as well as installing an Astro surface in front of our Ball Wall. This has been yet another mammoth development, and one that would not have been possible without the incredible volunteerism of our Committee and Supporters. We are hopeful to have the works on the Floodlighting completed in December 2024, and the Astro surface work to begin in 2025.
