GAA to borrow to fund building

WITHIN the next few weeks, the GAA will, for the first time, commit to go into the red in its redevelopment of Croke Park. Indeed, it is believed the association will be seeking up to £50 million in phased loans from the country's major financial institutions in order to complete Phases Two and Three - the Canal End and the Hogan Stand - almost four years ahead of schedule.

The GAA will have to borrow money for the first time in its massive redevelopment of Croke Park because of a commitment it gave at the outset to clubs and county boards that it would not reduce the number of tickets available to its so-called "grassroots", while also issuing an assurance to county boards and provincial councils that grants and capital expenditure wouldn't be affected during the redevelopment - in fact, they promised such financial assistance would actually increase during the period of work.

All of which means that the GAA, when it goes courting the business community shortly, will be limited to selling tickets for Premium Level seats and corporate suites in the Canal End, with the bulk of the tickets remaining available to the clubs. The details of the next stage of corporate offers will be announced in the next few weeks. But one incentive it will offer to businesses in the latest round of selling is that they will have first option to upgrade, if they desire, to the Hogan Stand when that side of the ground is completed, possibly as early as 2001.

The New Stand, which cost £40 million to build, was constructed without recourse to borrowing, which was a commendable piece of financial management by the GAA although, admittedly, there was a considerable helping hand along the way from the Government.

But the cost of the reconstruction of the Canal End (Phase Two) and Hogan Stand (Phase Three, if An Bord Pleanala uphold a Dublin Corporation decision to allow building work to start there ahead of the Hill 16 end) is estimated at a combined £95 million. Thus, according to the GAA's Danny Lynch, the need for "substantial borrowing". The GAA announced earlier this week that the Central Council had given the all-clear for this borrowing.

Visitors to Croke Park for the All-Ireland club finals on St Patrick's Day, along with viewers on television, could assess for themselves the progress of the Canal End redevelopment, with the superstructure and shell very obvious. In fact, it is anticipated that two decks of this new city-end stand - with facilities on a par with the Cusack - will be ready in time for the All-Ireland finals in September.

Although Dublin Corporation has given permission for the next phase, the Hogan Stand redevelopment, to start ahead of the proposed Hill 16 reconstruction, the matter now rests with An Bord Pleanala. However, if the GAA gets the go-ahead on this, then the situation is likely to arise that work on the completion of the Canal End and work on the new Hogan Stand will take place simultaneously. The Hogan could then be rebuilt by 2001, four years ahead of the original timescale.

The administrative offices on Jones's Road are expected to be demolished in early summer. The officials will move to temporary offices in the New Stand where the GAA Museum is placed.