The first pitch in the new Renville Sports & Community Grounds will come into use in the middle of next year.

Official plans and the timeline were announced to members of the Oranmore-Maree GAA One Club and residents of the local area at an open information morning in Galway Bay Golf Resort last week.

Phase One of the project will see the construction of four pitches (one 4G full-size astro and three full-size, sand-based pitches) built at a cost of €3 million. €2.1 million of this has been achieved through the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) grant awarded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media.

Fundraising which has already taken place for the development will provide some of the €900,000 required to meet its costs, however extensive fundraising will be needed to reach the full target.

The 4G astro pitch will be ready for use by members of Oranmore-Maree GAA One Club in the middle of 2024, while the grass pitches will be ready in the middle of 2025.

Ultimately, the grounds will also include various training/warm up areas; club pavilion with multiple changing rooms; ball wall; a community facilities area; secure low level lit 2km community walking / running track; public children’s playground area; preservation of a ringfort as a local heritage and educational site; and a community parking area with accessible public toilets and baby changing facilities which will help further service Renville Park and Graveyard.

Chairperson of Renville Sports & Community Grounds, Padraig O’Callaghan, said: “The Club’s current facilities cannot meet its members’ needs.

“There are now 1,700 members of the club which is testament to the dedication of its coaches, volunteers and management committees.”