The idea of a GAA centre in Downings was first conceived in the early 1980's when the team were still operating out of Tra na Rosann. The site on which the centre is built and the site of the pitch was in the process of being leased from the County Council. Negotations at this time however, led to the field eventually being bought outright. When all this activity was going on the idea of building a centre was being bandied about from officer to officer and from member to member and the feedback was most encouraging. The GAA centre officially got the thumbs up at a club meeting in 1983 and the wheels were finally set in motion after this.

The first consideration for the newly appointed centre committee of Mary "Pronsie" Mc Bride, Dan Logue, Paddy Bradley and Mickey Doherty was finance and fundraising. A number of huge drives were made in an effort to raise the necessary funds. Mickey Doherty soon drew up the plans and work began in February 1984. The workers for the construction were supplied by ANCO and were paid through Uduras na Gaeltachta and ANCO. The job of supervisors went to John "Mhici Rua" Mc Bride and Kevin Mc Shane who administered the job from beginning in February 1984 to it's completion in 1986.