A €12 million redevelopment of Limerick's GAA stadium, Páirc na nGael, is to begin within the next fortnight.
The building of terraces and a stand will increase the stadium's capacity from 31,000 to 50,000. This will make it the third largest GAA grounds in the State after Semple Stadium, Thurles, and Croke Park, and in line with Limerick's status as the third largest city, according to Mr Donal Fitzgibbon, the chairman of Limerick County Board.
"It is the largest outdoor sporting development going on in the country outside of Croke Park," he said.
The stadium's Mackey stand, which was built in the 1980s and seats 9,000 people, will remain but a new 12,000-seater area will be built opposite.
Mr Fitzgibbon said drainage work is to be carried out on the pitch. "There are probably only a few areas of the pitch where the outflow of water is being restrained."
The terraced areas at both ends of the pitch will be refurbished because of "building fatigue". This will increase their capacity from 15,000 to 29,000.
"Most of the big games at the moment are played in Thurles or Cork. For all-ticket matches, we have no choice but to play them away from home," he added.
The stadium will remain open while the work is being carried out. Spectators for club matches will be restricted to the Mackey stand. The financing of the project has been achieved through borrowings, Lotto aid, €1.4 million raised at draws at the county clubs and €1.27 million received from the Munster Council. A donation will be made by the GAA at national level. The introduction of a park-and-ride scheme for big games is being considered given the traffic congestion when there are major fixtures. The development will complete a necklace of sports facilities around Limerick which include the new racecourse at Greenmount Park, a 50-metre pool and indoor sports arena at UL and Thomond Park rugby ground.