Lansdowne Road Redevelopment Thread

[elroy]

For the record I think a "friendly" involving any foreign club side (just in case anyone thinks I'm EPL bashing) would be a disgraceful way to open the stadium (even if for its trial run)

There was talk previously of having two LOI games on the one day as a trial run. Would def be a good way to get people out to a game who normally wouldnt go to a LOI game, would be great exposure for the league.

[jbyrne]

i would be shocked if the first game wasnt a rugby match. my understanding is that the first match will be the combined provinces rugby match and i doubt that will change

[gspain]

Vincent Hogan article in today's Independent about the new stadium: http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/vincent-hogan/vincent-hogan-aviva-the-most-expensive-second-home-in-history-2143079.html
I hadn't heard this before, can anyone confirm or deny?

I asked and was told it is total rubbish.

So also is the claim that the Brazil match had anything to do with compensation for the Henry handball.

Croke Park would have been a terrible long term solution. It has not been a good matchday experience and an awful place to watch football and rugby due to the distance from the pitch.

[Razors left peg]

I hope they make a better job of the pitch than the crowd who look after Wembley.

[Duggie]

looks pretty impressive. bit disappointed in the small end, very small amount of seats. mabye they could have incorporated some exec boxes or something to take the bare look of it. been a bowl design it wouldnt be as easy as a square type stadium but im sure the designers could have come up with something? maybe space been the issue
http://parken.dk/images/Billedefolder1/tribune_indenfor1_parken.jpg

[jbyrne]

i agree. in the old wembley there was a tier of seats effectively hanging from the roof. maybe something similar could have been done in lansdowne

[ifk101]

New pictures.

http://www.lrsdc.ie/gallery/photocategory.asp?PCID=34&NCID=0

A massive thumbs up from me. Really impressed with the new stadium.

[Schumi]

looks pretty impressive. bit disappointed in the small end, very small amount of seats. mabye they could have incorporated some exec boxes or something to take the bare look of it. been a bowl design it wouldnt be as easy as a square type stadium but im sure the designers could have come up with something? maybe space been the issue
It was a planning issue. Anything higher than what's there would have overshadowed the houses on Havelock Square too much so they could only build one tier on that end.

[Duggie]

It was a planning issue. Anything higher than what's there would have overshadowed the houses on Havelock Square too much so they could only build one tier on that end.

ya but i was saying that there is a lot of space from the seats up to the roof. now im not a designer but could there be boxes incorporated somehow within the specic design. maybe not.

[gspain]

ya but i was saying that there is a lot of space from the seats up to the roof. now im not a designer but could there be boxes incorporated somehow within the specic design. maybe not.

They needed the light for the houses. Boxes or seats would have blocked that out.

[awec]

Should the FAI not just have bought the houses on that street and levelled them?

I assume that would be the plan if expansion is needed?

[Duggie]

They needed the light for the houses. Boxes or seats would have blocked that out.

never thought of that..bloody residents anyway. id love to live that close to lansdowne road, all those games on your doorstep.

[Schumi]

Should the FAI not just have bought the houses on that street and levelled them?

I assume that would be the plan if expansion is needed?

Sure, it's not like houses in Dublin 4 are expensive or anything.

[crc]

I think it looks great. Can't wait to go whenever I get home; most likely the FAI Cup Final.
My only query is why the scoreboard at the Havelock Sq. end is in the corner rather than the centre.

[elroy]

Looks good, cant say im a fan of that tiny end, think i counted just 13 rows of seats!! Suppose on the positive side it does give the stadium a unique and distinguishable characteristic for a modern stadium.

[Junior]

As someone said previously, would make sense for it to house the away fans for the larger travelling support and a proportion of it for when its smaller.

[gspain]

As someone said previously, would make sense for it to house the away fans for the larger travelling support and a proportion of it for when its smaller.

That is the plan. I asked on my tour as was told the away fans will be in there looking up at 3 sides and 3 banks of home support.

[tetsujin1979]

Handover is today, according to this post on twitter: http://twitter.com/AVIVAStadium/status/13117311656
Snag list still to be taken care of.
This is all on schedule, correct?

[The Fly]

The Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company website, www.lrsdc.ie (http://www.lrsdc.ie), is no longer in operation. Instead, you are redirected to the new official website, www.avivastadium.ie (http://www.avivastadium.ie).

Anyway, here's some new pics of the interior. The seats look great without the plastic covering.

http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/8752/201005071023484.jpg



http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/5345/201005071022372.jpg


http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/97/201005071023053.jpg

[MariborKev]

Official opening next Saturday night.

Soiree at the stadium, with the Great Leader(Cowen) opening it.

[Irish_Praha]

Wow look at the team that appears when you click on gallaries. Looks like a list of international has-beens Kavanagh, Carr, Elliot , O'Brien, Finnan, Morrisson, Kenny. Only 2 leftover with real international futures - McGeady and O'Shea and 2 others with questionable futures S. Reid and Kilbane. Was this the last team to play in the old Landsdowne or why have they chosen this picture? http://www.avivastadium.ie/galleries.aspx

[DannyInvincible]

I was wondering that myself. It's from the 4-0 friendly drubbing we got from Holland under Stan. That was in August of 2006. The last game to be played at the old stadium was a 5-0 win over San Marino the following November as part of Euro 2008 qualification. I don't understand what the significance of the photo is. They all look pretty glum too, obviously in the midst of a minute's silence. :confused:

[twoenz]

I was wondering that myself. It's from the 4-0 friendly drubbing we got from Holland under Stan. That was in August of 2006. The last game to be played at the old stadium was a 5-0 win over San Marino the following November as part of Euro 2008 qualification. I don't understand what the significance of the photo is. They all look pretty glum too, obviously in the midst of a minute's silence. :confused:


Was probably the only time they were stood long enough without being embarrassed under Stan.

[Metrostars]

I was wondering that myself. It's from the 4-0 friendly drubbing we got from Holland under Stan. That was in August of 2006. The last game to be played at the old stadium was a 5-0 win over San Marino the following November as part of Euro 2008 qualification. I don't understand what the significance of the photo is. They all look pretty glum too, obviously in the midst of a minute's silence. :confused:

Team from 17 August 2006:

Republic of Ireland (4-4-2): Kenny (Sheffield Utd); Carr (Newcastle Utd), O'Brien (Portsmouth), O'Shea (Manchester Utd), Kilbane (Everton); Finnan (Liverpool), S Reid (Blackburn Rovers), Kavanagh (Wigan Athletic), McGeady (Celtic); Morrison (Crystal Palace); Elliott (Sunderland). Substitutes used: O'Brien (Newcastle) for Kavanagh, h-t; Doyle (Reading) for Carr, h-t; Miller (Manchester United) for Reid, h-t; Douglas (Blackburn) for Morrison, h-t; Kelly (Birmingham City) for Finnan, 64.

[redobit]

Looks great it has to be said.
Cant wait to go to a game.

(Hope the small end dosent mean the wind swirls in and around the stadium - a bit like it did it at Twickenam before they finished the 4th side.)

Was it on-time and on-budget?

[Ciaran W]

50000 is far too small. . It should be 60000 at the very least

[Irish_Praha]

Someone mentioned the Star ran with this story a few weeks ago but it has now been confirmed that the first soccer game will be an Airtricity League XI versus ManU.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/manchester-united-to-play-first-soccer-match-at-lansdowne-road-2178044.html

[jbyrne]

50000 is far too small. . It should be 60000 at the very least

50,000 is perfect for football but about 15,000 too small for rugby

[tetsujin1979]

50,000 is perfect for football but about 15,000 too small for rugby

only for the big games, ie France, England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. They couldn't give away tickets to the Italy game in March, walking down O'Connell Street on matchday, I was stopped three times and asked if I wanted tickets.

[Duggie]

it is what it is now capacity wise. we lived long enough in the old lansdowne with 36,000.

[tetsujin1979]

some photos of the opening day on the AVIVAStadium's twitpic account: http://twitpic.com/photos/AVIVAStadium

[The Fly]

Irish Times article on stadium - http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0514/breaking47.html

+ new pics showing completed interior;


http://www.webeireann.com/archiseek/lansdowne_final_1.jpg



http://www.webeireann.com/archiseek/lansdowne_final_2.jpg

[Crosby87]

Wow cool. Good thing it got built already or who knows what would have happened huh?
So is it only going to be used for football?

[SkStu]

Rugby too. Like the old Lansdowne.

[DannyInvincible]

I understand that they could only accommodate a single tier in the north stand due to a row of private properties directly behind that end, but looking at photos from above, I can't fail but notice the large space of what appears to be unused land to the east side of the stadium between it and the river (Dodder?).

http://www.stadiumdb.com/images/stadiums/europe/ireland/dublin/aviva-stadium.jpg

I'm just wondering why they didn't try and fit a stadium with three tiers all the way round by utilising that space. Could they not have placed the two respective ends adjacent to the river and the DART line? I can only assume the dimensions wouldn't have permitted that either.

Not that I'm complaining, mind; just interested. I'm very impressed with how it's turned out as it is.


Wow cool. Good thing it got built already or who knows what would have happened huh?
So is it only going to be used for football?

It's co-owned by the IRFU, so they'll use it for rugby as well. The first sporting event to take place in the stadium will be a combined provinces game between Leinster/Ulster and Munster/Connacht on the 31st of July.

[The Fly]

I understand that they could only accommodate a single tier in the north stand due to a row of private properties directly behind that end, but looking at photos from above, I can't fail but notice the large space of what appears to be unused land to the east side of the stadium between it and the river (Dodder?).


Part of the deal for the building of the new stadium, was that Lansdowne Rugby club had to have their pitch retained on site.
The space that you refer to, is to be the club's pitch.

[Crosby87]

It's co-owned by the IRFU, so they'll use it for rugby as well. The first sporting event to take place in the stadium will be a combined provinces game between Leinster/Ulster and Munster/Connacht on the 31st of July.

OK thanks for the info. So Rugby is played at Croke park and here basically?

[The Fly]

OK thanks for the info. So Rugby is played at Croke park and here basically?

Rugby and football being played at Croke Park was temporary arrangement, to provide a 'home' for both sports whilst Lansdowne Road was being redeveloped.
Now that it is, that arrangement is over.

[Crosby87]

But Rugby will be played at Aviva fly.

[Razors left peg]

But Rugby will be played at Aviva fly.

Things go back to the way they were before Lansdowne closed for development, all Rugby and Soccer internationals will be played at the Aviva and while Croke park now remains open to the possiblity of games there will be no internationals there for the immediate future

[DannyInvincible]

But Rugby will be played at Aviva fly.

Hmm... This new stadium is the old Lansdowne Road. Is that where the confusion is? :confused: "Aviva" is just the name they've put on it due to an insurance company of that name sponsoring the project, or, at least, purchasing the naming rights anyway.


Part of the deal for the building of the new stadium, was that Lansdowne Rugby club had to have their pitch retained on site.
The space that you refer to, is to be the club's pitch.

Ah, I see. Cheers.

[MariborKev]

I got a hold of one of the "goodie bags" from Friday.

Quality wee documentary about the ground in it.

[Neish]

But Rugby will be played at Aviva fly.

Lansdowne was originally a Rugby venue, it wasn't untill the 80's(I think) that the Irish football team began using it as the venue for home games,

[EastTerracer]

Lansdowne was originally a Rugby venue, it wasn't untill the 80's(I think) that the Irish football team began using it as the venue for home games,

Just a little bit earlier than that. Ireland did play a few football games there in the 1930s but it only became the regular ground for bigger competitive games in 1971.

Capacity restrictions in Dalymount was the main reason for the initial move but some big games (e.g. Russia in 74 and Holland in 1983) were still held in Phibsborough. I think the chaos at the Italy game in Dalymount in 1985 really killed off any realistic hopes of any big games there afterwards though a few friendlies were played there in the following few years. I think Morocco just after Italia 90 was the last senior International game to be played there.

[Crosby87]

I'm not trying to be annoying but what do they do with Croke Park then if both Rugby and Footy are played at Aviva?

This damn...whats it called Disapora? I was born here and now I am out of the loop. Its bloody sad.
I watched a thing called "Dublin Slang" on youtube the other day where some chick tells us non Irish Irish about slang terms. So I am down with the lingo at least.
A "Kip" is a nap.

[Closed Account]

I'm not trying to be annoying but what do they do with Croke Park then if both Rugby and Footy are played at Aviva?

This damn...whats it called Disapora? I was born here and now I am out of the loop. Its bloody sad.
I watched a thing called "Dublin Slang" on youtube the other day where some chick tells us non Irish Irish about slang terms. So I am down with the lingo at least.
A "Kip" is a nap.
http://www.memedepot.com/uploads/0/207_not_sure_if_serious.jpg

[DannyInvincible]

I'm not trying to be annoying but what do they do with Croke Park then if both Rugby and Footy are played at Aviva?

This damn...whats it called Disapora? I was born here and now I am out of the loop. Its bloody sad.
I watched a thing called "Dublin Slang" on youtube the other day where some chick tells us non Irish Irish about slang terms. So I am down with the lingo at least.
A "Kip" is a nap.

Assuming you're genuinely out of the loop, the Gaelic Athletic Association own Croke Park and were temporarily renting it out to the IRFU for rugby games and to the FAI for football whilst Lansdowne Road was being redeveloped. Otherwise, Croke Park is mainly used for gaelic football and hurling. Have you heard of a search engine called Google? :P

[Dodge]

Don't know if this has been posted yet, but UEFA call the stadium the "Dublin Arena". I assume this will be the name used at next years Europa League final for sponsorship reasons (ie Aviva isn't a sponsor of the Europa League)

http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=irl/news/newsid=1488379.html

[Ciaran W]

Anyone know when the stadium tours start ?

[elroy]

Nice supplement in the Times today on the new stadium. Very much looking forward to going back to a top class stadium. I really dont like the Havelock square end though, really takes from the stadium imo. That element is not a great piece of design imo. Whats the story with this country and 3/4 finished stadia.