Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

**nigel-harps1954** · 07/12/2023, 5:07 PM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

I was going to be smart assed on sure what had the governemnt embargo on FAI grants to do with Derry but this old thread is far more fun to read back on....and the Donegal Community Stadium saga was only a year old...
https://foot.ie/archive/index.php/t-89049-p-2.html

That there are or were no applications is a scandal in itself - across an entire league of stadia that need major work, not to have more than one applicant is mad if there was only Harps application.

Unfortunately, our stadium saga is going on longer than that again.

**2 Year Contract** · 13/12/2023, 9:00 AM

I see Waterford have signed a 50 year lease on the RSC

https://waterfordfc.ie/waterfordfc-lease-rsc/

**Partizan** · 13/12/2023, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract

I see Waterford have signed a 50 year lease on the RSC

https://waterfordfc.ie/waterfordfc-lease-rsc/

Great news from the Club. This means that Waterford can now draw down funding to further develop the RSC. Plans were in place to do so but were postponed due to the Covid-19 issue. The RSC can be developed into a UEFA Category 3 stadium with 5,000/6,000 covered seats.

**Guitd** · 13/12/2023, 10:49 AM

https://cobhramblers.ie/
Another Astro added to league as cobh rip up st colmans park

**nigel-harps1954** · 13/12/2023, 11:32 AM

Astros should be banned from league football. If clubs want an astro training pitch, then that's their own choice, but there should be no matches played on them.

Can understand, from a financial point of view, which is just another failing on the FAI part that clubs are forced into these sorts of business decisions as they cannot afford proper pitch maintenance. But it doesn't make it any less embarrassing that we now have four clubs using artificial surfaces in one of the greenest countries on earth.

**ForzaForth** · 13/12/2023, 11:59 AM

Wexford's new ground will also be based on an artificial pitch according to reports.

**pineapple stu** · 13/12/2023, 12:36 PM

Are astros not being banned by UEFA soon due to concerns over microplastics in them?

**brendy_éire** · 13/12/2023, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Are astros not being banned by UEFA soon due to concerns over microplastics in them?

The EU have banned pitches with microplastics/rubber tyre filling from 2031. There are alternatives available that use cork and the like.

**Comic Book Guy** · 13/12/2023, 2:53 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Astros should be banned from league football. If clubs want an astro training pitch, then that's their own choice, but there should be no matches played on them.

Can understand, from a financial point of view, which is just another failing on the FAI part that clubs are forced into these sorts of business decisions as they cannot afford proper pitch maintenance. But it doesn't make it any less embarrassing that we now have four clubs using artificial surfaces in one of the greenest countries on earth.

I understand all concerns and I'm not a fan of them but the club had no option, with 8 teams from 14's to seniors and a senior women's team in 2025 (I think) the club had no option really. They are spending a fortune on rental of training facilities and with the cost of land alone not to mention development costs it's not practical in the medium to long term.
Another factor is our climate which is getting wetter but I can't imagine that was a consideration by the club board!
They are also upgrading the lights to LED which will be interesting to see.

**SPXcyan** · 13/12/2023, 5:55 PM

Seems to be the focus of the lease anyway, perhaps we'll learn more after tonight's meeting.

A seated capacity of 5,260 with the potential for two concrete terracing behind each goal if required.

Hopefully these plans can go ahead now that this has been sorted out.

Originally Posted by Partizan

Great news from the Club. This means that Waterford can now draw down funding to further develop the RSC. Plans were in place to do so but were postponed due to the Covid-19 issue. The RSC can be developed into a UEFA Category 3 stadium with 5,000/6,000 covered seats.

**Buckett** · 13/12/2023, 6:19 PM

Is that lease for exclusive use? Will the running track remain?
Galway Utd were recently in talks with Galway FA for a long term lease on Terryland, not sure how that's going

**Partizan** · 13/12/2023, 6:32 PM

Originally Posted by Buckett

Is that lease for exclusive use? Will the running track remain?
Galway Utd were recently in talks with Galway FA for a long term lease on Terryland, not sure how that's going

AFAIK, it's not for exclusive use as the running track will remain but it does make the case for redevelopment of the RSC (which plans for were drawing up a few years ago) a lot more solid.

**Nesta99** · 13/12/2023, 9:47 PM

Originally Posted by brendy_éire

The EU have banned pitches with microplastics/rubber tyre filling from 2031. There are alternatives available that use cork and the like.

About all Cork is good for!!

**EatYerGreens** · 14/12/2023, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Partizan

AFAIK, it's not for exclusive use as the running track will remain but it does make the case for redevelopment of the RSC (which plans for were drawing up a few years ago) a lot more solid.

Personally I loathe football grounds with running tracks. It pushes the crowd too far back, and really impacts both the view and the atmosphere/intensity. I appreciate that Waterford are hardly flushed with options since Kilcohan Park is no longer an option, but I jusst think the RSC will prove limiting for them.

**Larry 'da' Wyse** · 14/12/2023, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

About all Cork is good for!!

Not all Cork happy with them. Sultans from way back ...
https://www.footballandmusic.co.uk/s...astic-pitches/

**Martinho II** · 14/12/2023, 7:47 PM

See that Cobh Ramblers are moving to turners cross at start of next season as they are turning the pitch Astro now!

**JC_GUFC** · 15/12/2023, 1:09 AM

Originally Posted by EatYerGreens

Personally I loathe football grounds with running tracks. It pushes the crowd too far back, and really impacts both the view and the atmosphere/intensity. I appreciate that Waterford are hardly flushed with options since Kilcohan Park is no longer an option, but I jusst think the RSC will prove limiting for them.

I agree but Kilcohan is a dog track too so they’re used to some sort of track around the pitch.

The atmosphere is decent in the old stand at Waterford these days.

Bar a whole new stadium there aren’t really any other options for them. The Waterford FA ground Ozier Park isn’t suitable at all for LoI.

**Martinho II** · 15/12/2023, 8:11 PM

Originally Posted by JC_GUFC

I agree but Kilcohan is a dog track too so they’re used to some sort of track around the pitch.

The atmosphere is decent in the old stand at Waterford these days.

Bar a whole new stadium there aren’t really any other options for them. The Waterford FA ground Ozier Park isn’t suitable at all for LoI.

Kilcohan was a place I was never in JC. Wheres Ozier Park?

**ForzaForth** · 15/12/2023, 8:25 PM

Ozier Park is about 10 minutes walk from the RSC but nearer to the middle of Waterford city. Quite close to the big Tesco at Poleberry if you know it. Up a lane so you don't really get a good view of it unless you're in it. Appears on Google Maps if you search for it.