DESPITE THE economic slowdown there seems to be no shortage of takers for the corporate boxes at the newly refurbished Thomond Park, which are set to generate more than €12 million over the next five years.
The historic Limerick rugby ground is undergoing a €40 million face-lift that will increase its crowd capacity to 26,500.
Yesterday it was revealed that 14 of the 20 corporate boxes at the venue have already been sold. The remaining six are expected to sell by the end of the month.
The six most expensive corporate boxes cost €150,000 a year over a five-year period; there are eight boxes priced at €120,000 a year and six at €100,000 a year.
Each box can accommodate 15 people and the corporate package includes tickets to three European Cup home fixtures and four Celtic League matches.
Corporate clients will also have the option of buying tickets for other events and fixtures including the All-Blacks game on November 18th next and use of the box rent-free.
"The price value is linked to the box's proximity to the 22s and the halfway line," explained Thomond stadium director John Cantwell.
"They are negotiated over a five-year period and we've also introduced a financial package with Bank of Ireland which allows you to spread out those payments over the five-year period. The offer has been taken up significantly now and the boxes are selling by the week," he added.
Mr Cantwell was speaking in Thomond Park yesterday at the launch of the Saffron Ball, which will be held at the venue on October 18th next. It will be the first charity ball at Thomond Park's new banqueting suites, which can cater for more than 1,000 people.
The ball is in aid of the Cari foundation, with all proceeds going directly towards helping develop a new child therapy centre on the Ennis Road, Limerick.
The first rugby game at the new Thomond Park is a Celtic League fixture between Munster and Glasgow Warriors on the first weekend in October.
The first European Cup match is on the following weekend, when Munster take on French side Montauban.
Over the past months two new stands have been constructed at Thomond Park, offering a seating capacity for 15,000 people, while a further 11,000 spectators will be accommodated on the terraces.