Fintona Pearses set to unveil ambitious development plans

By Niall Gartland

“I think we have good facilities as it is, but the moment you stand still is the moment you get left behind.”

That’s the message of Fintona Pearses Development Officer Niall Donnelly, speaking ahead of the club’s launch of their five-year development plan on Friday, October 30.

The local community will gather at Fintona Golf Club to hear more about the ambitious new proposals, with Tyrone senior football manager Malachy O’Rourke set to attend as a special guest, alongside a number of other guests.

Fintona Pearses are riding the crest of a wave having won a league and championship double for the first time in the club’s history. Niall Donnelly, a member of the player panel and the club’s development officer, knows that sustaining success means looking beyond what happens on the pitch.

Speaking ahead of the big night, he said: “The club is looking at what we can do over the next five years, and there are a number of
strategic projects we’re looking to deliver.

“One of those is a 5G pitch, which will be full championship size and floodlit, and then hopefully developing a community gym – effectively a community hub at the pitch with a 1.6km walking track around it as well.

“We’re looking to upgrade the stand, and then we’re going to launch Cairde Fintona as well, which is something we’ve never had before. It’ll be a big launch that’s going to help fund the strategic developments.

“We’ll also have a development draw next year, launched in Q1. We think everything is going right on the pitch, and we need to look forward to developing everything else around that as well.”

With planning permission granted for 300 new houses in the Fintona area, the club is conscious of the need to ensure its facilities can accommodate a growing community and membership.

“I think we have good facilities as it is, but the moment you stand still is the moment you get left behind. There are two developments approved; they’re planned and approved.

“So, it’s about putting a plan in place that we can facilitate those chimney pots.”