Mitchels Notes - 1st November 2002

From www.castlebar.ie

Mitchels GAA Club
Mitchels Notes - 1st November 2002
By Noel Byrne
Nov 2, 2002, 10:54

Introduction
Castlebar Mitchel’s GAA Club is one of the largest and oldest clubs, not only in Mayo but also in Ireland. Currently, it fields 3 adult football and 2 adult hurling teams as well as 11 underage football and 2 underage hurling teams. In the past year ladies football and camogie has started. In total, there are in excess of 200 adult and 500 underage registered players in the club. Its facilities comprise, 3 playing pitches with 6 dressing rooms. large sports hall, Gymnasium, Squash (2) and Racket Ball (2) courts, newly refurbished bar, restaurant and meeting rooms. It's main pitch, McHale Park, ranks as one of the top GAA stadia in Ireland.

The Club is very cognisant of its vital role in Mayo's principal town, particularly in introducing young boys and girls to sport and in the subsequent coaching and training of these players. These are difficult times for young people, particularly with the overhanging threats from alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse. Active participation in sport, under the guidance of well trained and motivated adults provides young people with a worthwhile means of using their leisure time. All club activities take place within the parameters of the Club's clearly defined Code of Conduct.

It is also well recognised that participation in team sports is beneficial to the character building of young people as well as affording them the opportunity to learn how to cope with success and failure. All of this is not only to the benefit of young people as they enter adulthood but prepares them well for entry into the workplace as well as being extremely beneficial to their community and society

Currently the club is investing huge resources in football, hurling and camogie coaching and in improving the skill bases of all our players. Ultimately this will be reflected in greater success for our club and county team. This obviously requires constant up-grading of existing, and the provision of new facilities. Our development plans are outlined in this brochure. We now afford you the opportunity to support the club to achieve its objectives.

An Sportlann Development
1. New Bar, Restaurant, Meeting Rooms and Conference Centre will be completed by Dec 2002.

2. Up Grade Gymnasium

3. Refurbish Basketball Arena

4. Up Grade Racquetball and Handball Courts

5. Up Grade Squash Courts

6. Up Grade Changing Rooms

Currently facilities within An Sportlann are widely used by our adult and underage teams, schools, Mayo football, hurling and ladies football teams, adult and juvenile, men's and women's basketball clubs, fitness classes, karate classes, squash and racquetball clubs and by a large cross section of the public. Improved facilities will further enhance their use.

Training Pitches Development
1. Improve the existing 2 training pitches to all weather standard

2. Construct a new 80 x 60m floodlit Astro turf training pitch, incorporating facilities for athletics. (When completed this facility will be available to schools, other clubs and sporting organisations)

3. Install dug outs

4. Improve car parking for 300 cars

5. Landscape playing facilities and car park area

6. Construct out door children's play area

7. Improve signage

McHale Park Development
1. McHale Park all seated stadium for 35,000 patrons

2. Improve pitch to all weather standard

3. Improvement work on perimeter wall, entrances and embankments along McHale road.

4. Construct new media and communications Centre

5. Construct a referee’s room

6. Construct and equip a First Aid Room

7. Install flood lighting at McHale Park

8. Complete landscaping of McHale Park

Request for Financial Support
The development of a 21st Century Sports Campus at McHale Park, encompassing indoor and outdoor facilities, will be of tremendous benefit not only to Castlebar Mitchels but also to schools, other sporting and recreational organisations and to the general public of Castlebar and its hinterland. Having such a first class Sports Facility, will further enhance the attractiveness of Castlebar as a location for new indigenous and foreign industry. The redeveloped McHale Park is now competing successfully for major championship matches. This will enhance the Sporting, Cultural and Financial Life of Castlebar and Mayo.

We need your support to complete our developments.

You can play your part by subscribing to our Debenture Bond Scheme.

Debenture Bonds cost €3,000 each but you can take a share in a Bond.

Your Bond is secured.

Redemption of Bonds will commence in Jan 2008.

Please contact any member of the executive committee for further details and application form.

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