Redeveloped stadium set to invigorate Newbridge as a hub for sport and business

The highly anticipated redevelopment of Cedral St. Conleth’s Park, the iconic home of Kildare GAA, is on track to open its doors just in time for the Kildare Senior Football Championship Final on October 27, 2024. This remarkable transformation is more than just a new chapter for Kildare GAA; it represents a monumental boost for the town of Newbridge and the wider county promising to invigorate local sports tourism, and to support business, retail, and hospitality in Newbridge and its environs.

After 18 months of rapid and efficient construction, led by a collaboration of Kildare GAA volunteers and a dedicated project team, the new Cedral St. Conleth’s Park is a sight to behold. The €18 million redevelopment, spearheaded by Padraig McManus and a stellar development committee and design team led by Donnachadh O'Brien Engineers, Eliotts Construction, and Cedral—who have secured the naming rights—has breathed new life into the stadium, which now stands as a beacon of modern sporting excellence in the heart of Newbridge.

One of the standout features of the redevelopment is the construction of a modern 3,000-seat stand, replacing the old structure and bringing the total stadium capacity to 15,000. This new seating area is designed to offer spectators a premium experience, with state-of-the-art amenities that guarantee comfort and convenience.

Whether attending a high-stakes GAA match or another dynamic event, visitors can enjoy unparalleled views and facilities in the new stand, which symbolises the future of Kildare GAA.

Cedral St. Conleth’s Park also boasts a host of other upgrades that ensure the venue is a top-tier facility for both players and officials. Enhanced dressing rooms and official areas reflect the commitment to providing top -class amenities that support player experience and performance.

Additionally, the pitch has been enlarged to the maximum size allowed by the site, complete with a new drainage system and floodlighting, ensuring that it is in perfect condition year-round and suitable for both day and evening matches.

The redevelopment of Cedral St. Conleth’s Park has also placed a strong emphasis on creating an inviting and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere for fans and visitors.

A new entrance plaza will welcome guests, surrounded by enhanced landscaping that transforms the park’s surroundings into a vibrant, welcoming space. These improvements ensure that Cedral St. Conleth’s Park is not just a sports venue but a destination in its own right with obvious benefits to the town of Newbridge itself.

Sports related business in Ireland is a rapidly growing sector, with significant economic benefits for the country. A 2021 Sport Ireland commissioned study found that €3.3bn was spent by people in Ireland on sport related goods and services in 2018.

The report also found that the sport economy has grown faster than the economy as a whole over the last decade.
Some 64,080 people were directly employed in sport in Ireland in 2018 while the estimated economic value of volunteering in sport and physical activity in Ireland was €1.5bn.

The 2020 Investec Economic Research report which was commissioned by the Federation of Irish Sport found that sports tourism specifically contributes over €500 million annually to the Ireland economy. This includes spending by both international visitors and domestic tourists attending or participating in sports events across the country and the number fluctuated dependent on key sporting fixtures.

On a local level of course, sporting events bring people to a specific area and this in turn helps boost business in all kinds of sectors, particularly those in hospitality.

A well-regarded analysis by Grant Thornton showed that The Aer Lingus College Football Classic 2023, featuring Notre Dame (Fighting Irish) and Navy, is calculated to have generated a significant €180 million boost for the local economy while the Open Championship at Portrush in 2019 was credited at the time as being worth in the region of €120 million.

Retail too can take advantage of the visiting crowds while match goers often ‘make the day’ out of their visit and may extend their stay to take in shopping or to enjoy cultural or visitor experiences in the area.

Louise Conlan, Head of Operations Kildare GAA, expressed her delight about the project’s completion, stating, “We hope the redevelopment will help enhance the community of Newbridge by attracting people to this fantastic venue from around the county and nationally which in turn will support and promote our local businesses.”

Huge Benefits
She continued, “Sports tourism has benefits for us all, from petrol stations where fans fill up, to the local pubs and restaurants, where they might enjoy an after-match pint or bite to eat or where they might pop into a local shop. It’s all part of the experience of visiting not just our stadium but the town of Newbridge itself which has some great retail and visitor experiences within walking distance of the stadium.

Fans will come for the match, but many will stay for the day in Newbridge, so everyone will benefit from the sports tourism that this stadium will no doubt bring to Newbridge.”

Beyond sports, the upgraded facility is also set to become a popular venue for conferences, workshops and team-building events. The Cedral Lounge, a multi-functional space within the stadium, features floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering breathtaking views of the pitch.

The Lounge, which comfortably accommodates 250 delegates in a theatre-style setup, is equipped with its own Audio-Visual equipment and big screens, there is also a stunning wood clad contemporary bar with direct access to the stadium seating.
Next door, a multi-use room provides additional breakout or meeting space, while a dedicated kitchen services both areas, making Cedral St. Conleth’s Park an ideal location for a variety of non-match day events.

“The efficiency and speed with which the redevelopment was completed is a testament to the collaborative effort of all those involved,” said Louise Conlan, “From the passionate Kildare GAA community to the dedicated expert project group it really has been a team effort. Over the past 18 months, the vision for a modern, versatile, and community-driven stadium has become a reality and this reflects the pride and passion of the entire Kildare GAA family.

“This project has been in the works for many years, and as far back as 2016, the wheels were put into motion to make the dream a reality. Now, the Cedral St. Conleth’s Park Stadium has brought life back to the heart of the town of Newbridge, and the Kildare GAA family has now a home grounds to be proud of.”

As Cedral St. Conleth’s Park prepares to welcome thousands of fans to the Kildare SFC Final which will see Naas going head-to-head with Celbridge, the wider town of Newbridge is also gearing up for a significant boost.

The stadium’s strategic location in the town centre makes it an ideal hub for sports tourism, benefitting local businesses, hospitality outlets, and retailers.

With its new, cutting-edge facilities, Cedral St. Conleth’s Park promises to become a year-round destination that brings together sports, business, and community in the heart of Kildare.