Work on open terrace end of Austin Stack Park will increase capacity to 14,000
Castleisland contractors Griffin Brothers have been appointed to the project and are expected to begin work in early August, and finish early next year in time for the beginning of the Allianz Football League.
The terrace works - behind the goal to the right of the main stand as one looks out onto the pitch - involves the development of a facility similar to that on the Mitchel's end of the ground, but without a roof - as well as the construction of a new toilets block for patrons.
As the development begins, access to Austin Stack Park from the Horan end will be restricted, but supporters will enter the facility from the current access points closer to the Mitchels, while plans are also in place to create further access points.
According to Kerry GAA vice-chair Liam Lynch - who is the chairman of the Austin Stack Park Development Committee - the upcoming works will ensure that Tralee can continue to host major club and National League games.
He said the Development Committee, formed almost ten years ago, continues to receive significant support from local businesses.
'The scheme has approximately 150 members. Everyone pays €1,000, and we have other people that pay higher, and we're hugely thankful to every one of those,' Liam said.
Recent years have seen the development of the playing pitch, improved floodlights and the development of the Mitchel's end of Austin Stack Park.
"Anybody who has been here for the Dublin National League game will know, that's where the Hill 16 on tour goes, and it's been a fantastic addition to the grounds," Liam said. 'The next part of the jigsaw always was to replicate that without the roof in the Horan's End.
'Covid intervened, but now we're in a position to start the Horan's End development,' Lynch explained. 'Austin Park will now be able to cater for 14,000 people, which is fantastic."
"It's quite a unique concept," he said. "The businesses of the town and some also from North Kerry, west Kerry and Castleisland areas, have come together to support us. It's their support only, that has enabled us to go out, to borrow the money, and to pay off bank loans over time."
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