Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

[Charlie Darwin]

We've never been too sure on the different shapes down here unless they're of the throwing variety. Proper order.

[nigel-harps1954]

Some good progress being made there. When do they expect it to be finished?

Well, we've been told over the past year or so that the club hope to be in it for the 2016 season, but the likelihood is that it'll be 2017.

[Keen2win]

Pictures of the new training pitch just behind CCS coming along nicely.

http://ltfc.ie/index.php/new-pitch-d...ss-at-the-ccs/

[nigel-harps1954]

Pictures of the new training pitch just behind CCS coming along nicely.

http://ltfc.ie/index.php/new-pitch-d...ss-at-the-ccs/

What's the capacity?

[Martinho II]

What's the capacity?

for the one man and his dog! these pitches are located behind the uncovered area of the ground behind section O

[nigel-harps1954]

for the one man and his dog! these pitches are located behind the uncovered area of the ground behind section O

Always thought they could do something behind there. The astro pitches looked very lonely back there.

[sligoman]

Well, we've been told over the past year or so that the club hope to be in it for the 2016 season, but the likelihood is that it'll be 2017.

And in what season do the fans arrive then?

[Sam_Heggy]

And in what season do the fans arrive then?

Witty, intellectual and unique as ever.

[mastershake]

Just found a few images of a proposed plan by Gilroy McMahon architects for a redeveloped Marketsfield in Limerick. Don't know if this is an old design which was discounted by the club due to funding, but it looks outstanding. Seems to incorporate the Limerick College of Further Education in its plans. It would definitely make it the best stadium in the country as far as league of Ireland clubs.

http://www.gilroymcmahon.com/project...rketfields.htm

[redron]

Just found a few images of a proposed plan by Gilroy McMahon architects for a redeveloped Marketsfield in Limerick. Don't know if this is an old design which was discounted by the club due to funding, but it looks outstanding. Seems to incorporate the Limerick College of Further Education in its plans. It would definitely make it the best stadium in the country as far as league of Ireland clubs.

http://www.gilroymcmahon.com/project...rketfields.htm

Those are plans that the FAI had drawn up back in 2009 when Jack McCarthy, as club chairman, was trying to buy the Markets Field. They were presented to Limerick FC fans at a public meeting in the Strand Hotel on 25 may 2009 (also that night, a documentary film on the club made by some LIT students was screened).

Pat O'Sullivan presented different plans (a more modest plan, which didn't include Limerick College of Further Education, but left it open that they could still integrate with it at a later stage) at a public meeting in Thomond Park on 23 june 2011 (that was the day Joe Gamble and Denis Behan were unveiled to the fans and media as new signings).

The plans currently being pursued are those which were granted planning permission last christmas, details here.
There is no artist's impression of the finished stadium, so you'll have to use your powers of deduction and your imagination to work out what it will look like. Nor is there any indication if this is the first phase of a multi-phased development (but let's hope so).

[NeverFeltBetter]

Just found a few images of a proposed plan by Gilroy McMahon architects for a redeveloped Marketsfield in Limerick. Don't know if this is an old design which was discounted by the club due to funding, but it looks outstanding. Seems to incorporate the Limerick College of Further Education in its plans. It would definitely make it the best stadium in the country as far as league of Ireland clubs.

http://www.gilroymcmahon.com/project...rketfields.htm

Yeah, that would have been outstanding, but probably a bit too ambitious.

[redron]

Yeah, that would have been outstanding, but probably a bit too ambitious.

Those plans are ambitious in many ways, but probably the most ambitious aspect was that the project would have required the co-operation of Limerick FC, FAI, Limerick City VEC and Limerick City Council, as well as the local community. That's an awful lot of co-operation!

And I forgot to mention Bórd na gCon too!

[NeverFeltBetter]

No way that would have been pulled of. The LCC alone would have/has been a nightmare.

[redron]

No way that would have been pulled of. The LCC alone would have/has been a nightmare.

What did Limerick City Council do to block developments?
I know certain councillors have both supported and objected to some proposals at the same time(!), but that has all been local media fluff. I wouldn't pay too much attention to that sort of stuff (not that it should be ignored, but don't give it any more weight than it deserves).

[oriel]

A small but 'snazzy' electronic tv screen made an appearance in oriel park last night. This was just in one of the corner areas and it even changed to GOAL, 5 times, also had the league table updated at ft. Not sure if it's an advertisement testing thing or permanent.

Also as per League Cup 2014 thread, there are discussions about installing a temporary stand behind the goal where the away fans are now. Nothing has been decided yet though.

One thing is for sure, unless OP is upgraded next season there is no chance of increasing the current core attendance figures. The place is crying out for a permanent new stand to be built, and behind the town goal would be ideal. No idea what the funding levels are, but there are other pressing demands too like floodlight upgrading, pitch maintenance (hopefully plans to remove it at some point), more cover, and total upgrading of the very poor away section with proper toilets.

[nigel-harps1954]

A small but 'snazzy' electronic tv screen made an appearance in oriel park last night. This was just in one of the corner areas and it even changed to GOAL, 5 times, also had the league table updated at ft. Not sure if it's an advertisement testing thing or permanent.

Also as per League Cup 2014 thread, there are discussions about installing a temporary stand behind the goal where the away fans are now. Nothing has been decided yet though.

One thing is for sure, unless OP is upgraded next season there is no chance of increasing the current core attendance figures. The place is crying out for a permanent new stand to be built, and behind the town goal would be ideal. No idea what the funding levels are, but there are other pressing demands too like floodlight upgrading, pitch maintenance (hopefully plans to remove it at some point), more cover, and total upgrading of the very poor away section with proper toilets.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, extend the main stand out the length of the pitch and you'll have arguably the finest stand in the whole League. Two terraces at either end would complete a nice ground then.

[Nesta99]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, extend the main stand out the length of the pitch and you'll have arguably the finest stand in the whole League. Two terraces at either end would complete a nice ground then.

That was actually the original plan! The stand was phase one of 3, I dont know why it was never further extended considering the bumper European nights '76-'87 (18000 attendence v Celtic??!!! Spurs in and around the same time). There have been plans in the more recent past to extend the stand but monies were diverted to other things. I agree though extending the stand imo is the best way forward and maximise the impact in solving a lot of issues like the much maligned away section, sorting toilets, food outlets, cover, all in one project. With a bit more organisation depending on opposition more covered seating could be available to home fans too. To build a stand behind the town goal i feel would be disjointed currently. The stand crowd are not a particularly offensive bunch so a family section could be accomadated in any extension over the 5 minute terrace. Would do wonders for atmosphere with away crowds being more enclosed in the ground and could encourage the stand to develop a bit of a voice. Terracing at the town end would be great especially if seating could be moved there but right now to have the path widened so as not to have to wade through mud and puddles do us fine for those walking round to the Shed. Carrick end is a bit of a mare as the access route to the YDC, i'd say that it will remain as it is for a long time!

[oriel]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, extend the main stand out the length of the pitch and you'll have arguably the finest stand in the whole League. Two terraces at either end would complete a nice ground then.

There was a small piece, and very vague at that, in one of our programmes early summer about engaging an architect to look at plans of extending the main stand.

Since then nothing further was mentioned.

[redobit]

Witty, intellectual and unique as ever.

Don't forget jealous

[nigel-harps1954]

While on the topic I suppose. Past Harps new stadium yesterday. They're working away on the admin block of the building with the outside walls being built at the minute. Hopefully get some updated pictures in the next week or two.