11 June 2019
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
Ballincollig RFC has appointed Sports Turf Solutions to construct two new full sized grass rugby pitches at its grounds in Tanner Park. The new pitches will replace the existing second pitch and training area which have had severe flooding and drainage issues in recent years.
Construction will begin in the coming days and will take 10-12 weeks to complete. It is expected that the pitches will be out of commission for all of the 2019/2020 season to allow the grass to bed in fully and that they will be ready for use by the start of the 2020/2021 season. Alternative training and playing facilities will be sourced by the club in advance of the 2019/2020 season.
Welcoming the development, Ballincollig RFC President Jim Nyhan commented “Today is an important first step in improving the playing facilities of the club for all our members. The Club Committee identified significant shortfalls in the existing playing facilities and decided to commission and implement a 10 year Development Plan for Tanner Park. This is the first step in implementing that plan.”
The plan will initially focus on fixing the flooding and drainage issues on the back pitches, along with the installation of floodlights on the main pitch. The club will issue a tender request for the installation of floodlights in the coming weeks.
This phase of the Development Plan, grant-aided by the Sports Capital Programme, will meet the growing demand for pitch space, evening matches and training under lights. It will enable Ballincollig Rugby Club to continue to grow player numbers, ensuring continued success now, and into the future for new generations.
Ballincollig RFC would like to thank our main sponsors Quish’s SuperValu for their continued support over the years and, in particular, their significant support of the Development Plan.
Ballincollig RFC would also like to thank everyone who has given their help and support to the Development Plan to date. Ballincollig RFC is a community club and to grow successfully, the club will rely on former, existing and new members coming together to build a rugby club that has a strong identity in Cork and throughout Munster.
Ballincollig RFC has a fantastic history, it is now time to create our future.