Clearwater Construction collapse leaves sports clubs with big bills

Sports clubs blindsided by sudden firm closure

Clearwater Construction & Landscaping Ltd, which trades as CWC, was based in Grangecon, Co Wicklow, and specialised in sports facilities. 

Several customers have reported being caught off guard by the company’s closure.

The Irish Times reported that some received no communication from the business or its director, PJ Norton.

The company’s financial affairs are due to be addressed at a creditors’ meeting on Friday, October 23, when liquidators are expected to begin winding up the firm.

Clubs scramble to finish pitch and court work

For Bunclody AFC in Co Wexford, the closure has put a major investment in its all-weather pitch at risk. 

Club chairman Jamie Farrell told members that €313,000 had been paid for ground preparation, fencing and floodlights, but only around €180,000 worth of work had been completed.

The club had been told on September 25 that construction would carry on. 

Within days, however, it learned Clearwater was experiencing difficulties collecting outstanding payments, leaving uncertainty over how the unfinished project would be resolved.

Farrell said the situation was “heartbreaking”. The club depends on community fundraising, including weekly bingo events, and now faces the challenge of finding a way to make up the shortfall.

He said a potential route to recouping the money was through the Government’s sports capital grants scheme, which could offer some support as the club works out its next steps.

Tramore Tennis Club has also had to make alternative arrangements.  The Co Waterford club told members in an email this week that it was in the process of finding a new contractor to finish lighting work on two courts.

Explaining the change, the club said: “The original building contractor is no longer communicating with Tramore Tennis Club.”