The past year was a banner year for New York GAA. The Big Apple’s senior football team won their first match in the Connacht Championship, beating Leitrim, after participating for nearly a quarter of a century. Next New York’s junior footballers, an All-American-born squad, and products of the New York Minor Board, defeated Kilkenny for the All-Ireland junior football crown. Then as the year was coming to a close, the long-awaited Gaelic Park building began to spring from its foundations.
Granted that these were all very meritorious accomplishments, but the icing on the Gaelic sports cake was the announcement that the New York Minor Board signed on Dec. 4 a license agreement with the city of Yonkers for the redevelopment of Redmond Park. The 35-year acre park, located off Cook Avenue, previously hosted baseball and soccer fields.
Historically the Minor Board generally played second fiddle to the more illustrious Senior Board when it came to scheduling and spacing allocation. The operations of the Minor Board were typically characterized by a nomadic or itinerant nature, but that situation had been ameliorated with facilities provided by the St. Barnabas, Rockland and Shannon Gaels clubs.
Well, the acquisition of Redmond Park is a major milestone in the development of Gaelic Games in New York. This ambitious initiative is the proverbial game changer, according to Danny Browne, chairman of the Minor Board. He stated that the Minor Board is delighted to reach this agreement, which is a significant step forward in our mission to provide top class facilities for the growth and development of Gaelic games in New York. He added that we are developing something that will stand the test of time, and contingent upon fulfilling certain conditions, the license is valid for 25 years.
So now Redmond Park becomes the home and headquarters of the Minor Board. This project couldn’t have come at a more optimal time as Minor Board clubs are flourishing across the tri-state area. Once upon a time the Aer Lingus shuttle was the main conduit for adult teams in New York, now the Minor Board is becoming the predominant route for many to senior ranks.
Redmond Field is located in the heart of Yonkers, and is easily accessible from the Cross County Parkway. The facility also affords ample parking to accommodate all participants. The Redmond Field redevelopment is about much more than providing safe and secure places where youngsters can hone the skills of hurling and football. In fact it will become a major community asset, with something for every age group.
However in the initial phase of development, primacy goes to finalizing the playing surfaces. Once the goal posts are erected, Redmond Park will feature a full-sized fenced regulation Gaelic field. Complementing the main field will be two smaller or practice fields. All fields will be fully lit, thus allowing maximum practice and playing time. Bleachers and scoreboard are also included. The plan envisages three phases of development, with 2027 targeted as the final phase of development. The Minor Board certainly have a very ambitious plan and when implemented will be of great benefit to the wider community.
Part of that plan includes an outdoor gym, a playground, clubhouse extension, public sidewalks, backup generator, a picnic area, a pavilion a walking/running trail and an access bridge to the north parking lot Evidently these developments come with a price hefty tag, and to date approximately $500,000 has been spent. The final cost of the purported developments is projected to be in the $4 million range.
Naturally when you have formidable task, you assemble a team that’s equal to the task. Well the Minor Board has definitely done that. Most of those on board were either sterling performers with their teams or very able administrators with their clubs or successful business personnel in their respective fields. Leading the team is the Minor Board Chairman Danny Browne, and backed up by Vice-Chairman Mike Brosnan along with Secretary Keara O’Connor. Lining out on the Development team are: Owen Cummins( Financial Chair), Pat Mahoney(Construction Chair), Mike Kennedy (Fundraising Chair), Shane Lynch, John Ryan and Noel Cronin.
Now as the Minor Board embarks on this three-year transformative project to provide a state of the art facility for the promotion of Gaelic games and the finest aspect of Irish heritage and culture, they are appealing for your support. So on Friday Jan. 12, at 7:30 p.m. there will be a presentation at Rory Dolan’s, McLean Avenue. It is hoped that when the community is informed about the scope, size and significance of the Redmond Field Redevelopment, they will be moved to support it financially. The early stages of development are crucial and require substantial resources to get events up and running. The New York Minor Board has the status of a 501(c)(3) organization, so a contribution will get you a dual benefit. It will be tax deductible, but you will also have the satisfaction of ensuring that Gaelic games continue to thrive in a safe and healthy environment in New York. Donations may be memorialized. Hope to see you in Rory’s. You can also visit the website at nymbdevproject.com to learn more and how to support the development.
