Green light for new stand at Laois GAA Centre of Excellence

Laois GAA has been granted planning permission to construct a new spectator stand and terraced viewing area at the LOETB Centre of Excellence in Portlaoise.

Laois County Council confirmed its decision to approve the development on July 7, with a Chief Executive’s Order granting permission subject to seven planning conditions. The stand will include 282 seats, additional standing space, and an accessible viewing section. Terraced areas will also be installed on both sides of the new structure, extending the full length of Pitch 01.

As part of the project, two existing dugouts will be removed and relocated. The current fence line will be repositioned to accommodate the development, though existing floodlighting, parking arrangements, and site access will remain unchanged.

Located on Father Browne Avenue in Portlaoise, the LOETB Centre of Excellence opened in 2019 and serves as the hub of Laois GAA’s coaching and player development programmes. The €3.5 million facility features floodlit pitches, a gym, meeting rooms, and high-performance amenities, and is used year-round by all Laois county teams. READ MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The Council’s decision came with a number of standard conditions, including the requirement that the development be carried out as per the submitted plans, and that cladding colours be agreed with the local authority prior to construction. Strict environmental and safety measures will also be enforced during the building phase to minimise disruption and safeguard public amenities.

No floodlighting can be added as part of this permission, and any new signage or lighting installations visible from the public road will require a separate planning application.

The proposed development is considered a significant boost to the already state-of-the-art facility, further enhancing the match-day experience for players and supporters alike.

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