Croke Park officials have defended the latest proposals arising from structural delays to the new Canal End stand, and have stressed that patrons who purchased either corporate suites or premium seats can avail of a full refund.
A number of investors have voiced their unhappiness at the GAA's admission that the projected opening date of July 1st for the Canal End will not be met and that work on that structure may not be completed until after the current All-Ireland series.
Corporate and premium ticket holders have received written options to purchase equivalent seat numbers for this summer's games and have been notified that the commencement of their five and 10-year agreements has been postponed until January 1st, 2000.
"It is terribly disappointing for us that the target date hasn't been met, as we genuinely hoped to have that aspect of the redevelopment in place by now," agreed Dermot Power, marketing manager for the Croke Park development scheme.
"However, any interaction we have had with ticket holders suggests that people do appreciate that the development is behind schedule and that they would prefer to see their tickets come into effect when the stadium is fully refurbished and not before."
The fledgling Hogan stand structure was sold on the understanding that ticket holders would be accommodated in the near-completed Canal stand for the interim period, a deal which yielded £18.5 million for the GAA. However, continued postponements to the Canal structure have discommoded ticket holders who hoped to make use of the facilities for the current championship.
While the GAA are currently agreeable to refunding corporate suites or premium tickets, the idea of a temporary refund - returning all monies until the structures are fully fitted and open - is not on the agenda.
"That has not been discussed. But in terms of a refund, well, it isn't a problem, because the waiting lists for seats and corporate suites remain very high. But I don't think people want to take that route," said Power.
Industrial action and high winds combined to significantly delay the development of the Canal end, and although the contractors have failed to meet the projected target date, the GAA will not be imposing penalties.
While the capacity of the stadium will be around 65,000 by All-Ireland final time, it is unclear as to precisely what state the ground itself will be in. Work has begun on the Canal stand roof but a decision will be taken in the coming weeks on how to maximise seating capacity before demand peaks in August.
"It may be that the Canal stand will be completed by the All-Irelands or it may be the case that work will be concentrated on the lower tier of the Hogan stand. It's simply not clear which way we will go on that."
It is anticipated that the completion of the extensive stadium refurbishment - which involved the demolition of the Hogan stand and Canal End followed by the erection of the new stands with corporate facilities - will take place in 2002.
The Irish Times photographer Alan Betson has been named among the recipients of the GAA McNamee awards for last season. Betson took the honours in the `best photgraph' section. The awards will be presented by GAA president Sean McCague on Saturday, June 17th in Dublin. Other winners were: Sean McGoldrick (Sunday World), John Barry (Corkman), Seamus Leahy (Tipperary GAA yearbook), John McCormack (Tipperary hurling final programme), Pat Treacy (Radio Kilkenny), Ballintubber GAA club, Jim Forbes/Gerry O'Sullivan (Cork Bord na nOg), Breifne Earley (Leitrim GAA website), Michael O'Carroll (RTE, Hall of Fame recipient).
