Ballincollig Rugby Club forge ahead with ambitious redevelopment

BALLINCOLLIG rugby club are forging ahead with their ambitious plans to upgrade their complex on the west side of the town.

The club has appointed McSherry Electrical to install the new floodlighting system on the first pitch at Tanner Park, following an extensive tender process.

This new development is following on from their overhaul of the club’s two primary playing areas with sand-based surfaces.

The Ballincollig club is constantly expanding, having celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018. The rugby club has been based in Tanner Park since 1993.

Mallow-based McSherry Electrical has installed over 400 sports lighting systems nationally and internationally, including the Aviva and Millennium Stadiums.

Construction and installation of the LED system from Musco Lighting is estimated to take 10-12 weeks and it is hoped that floodlit games will be taking place at Tanner Park before the end of the season.

Ballincollig RFC president Jim Nyhan explained that being able to cater for team fixtures across the winter will be critical to the club, going forward.

“This is another significant step in implementing our Development Plan,” he said.

“Demand for floodlit rugby is growing all the time and this installation will enable the club to play night-time games throughout the winter months.

“We look forward to the first of many games under lights at Tanner Park and feel it will bring another dimension and experience for our members.

“These are very exciting times for the club.”

In May 2019, the club appointed Sports Turf Solutions to construct two new full-sized pitches to replace the existing second pitch and training area.

Construction, which began in June, included the installation of a full drainage system and two new sand-based grass pitches, and was completed in August 2019.

The new pitches are out of commission for all of the 2019/2020 season to allow the grass to bed in fully.

It is expected that they will be ready for use by the start of the 2020/2021 season.

Jim Nyhan added: “The club wishes to thank our main club sponsors Quish’s SuperValu, without whose continued support the development plan would not be possible.

“We would also like to thank our club members, sponsors, local businesses, the local community, and everyone who has supported us in our fundraising efforts to date.

“The completion of our development plan will allow Ballincollig RFC to become a key community facility for everyone to enjoy in the coming years.

“Fundraising activities will continue over the coming months to support the next phase of our development plan.”