Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

[Charlie Darwin]

One stand with 1928 seats. Another with 1985 seats. Another with 2010 seats. And another under the ground.
And evenly spaced dugouts between them all.

[oriel]

One of the local papers in Dundalk suggested today that the club might be announcing plans if they are to redevelop the ground in the summer. No other details given.

As always it will come down to finances, but there is a fair bit of space around the ground to build, the type of stand Pats and more so Sligo have behind one of their goals would be prefect in OP. If they got planning permission to extend the main stand down the whole side, and installed even one new stand (behind the town goal would prob suit best), it would make a massive difference.

All of that would probably cost a few million though. I can only see gradual improvements being made though, we'll wait and see what the report they have commissioned comes back with.

[gufcfan]

the type of stand Pats and more so Sligo have behind one of their goals would be prefect in OP.

I'm not too pushed about facilities myself, but I recognise they are important to attract people.

The seating Sligo have behind the goal looks nice, but in Ireland you have to have a roof.

I know the cost increases massively, but what's the point if you don't do it right.

[sbgawa]

Summer football :) no need for a roof at all

[Nesta99]

I'm not too pushed about facilities myself, but I recognise they are important to attract people.

The seating Sligo have behind the goal looks nice, but in Ireland you have to have a roof.

I know the cost increases massively, but what's the point if you don't do it right.

Every farmer in the country has the sort of covering that would do in some cases as do most GAA clubs. Increase costs on those examples a bit to box in the roofing so it doesnt look like a complete hay barn. I dont know why roofing areas even short to medium term isnt done. Yes it will look cat if let rot and ye dont want to be left with it forever like the main stand in Tolka. But really why does it cost so much to have cased RSGs raked to create a terrace that can have seating installed and then covered. I am being a bit flippant but if it is going to take 5+ years to having Oriel redeveloped it cant be that expensive to have a semi temporary roof over the away section and the town end terrace?? Or Bray replacing the canvass with the hay barn GAA example.

[EatYerGreens]

Never mind a new stadium, Harps still can't get an online shop sorted ! It's not listed on their website, and if you google for it they have a page saying that they're working on it. Which has been up all year.

They've lost themselves a jersey sale as a minimum there, as I won't be checking again. It's a good thing they're so wealthy :)

[nigel-harps1954]

Never mind a new stadium, Harps still can't get an online shop sorted ! It's not listed on their website, and if you google for it they have a page saying that they're working on it. Which has been up all year.

They've lost themselves a jersey sale as a minimum there, as I won't be checking again. It's a good thing they're so wealthy :)

An online shop is fairly low on the list of priorities this season..

[KrisLetang]

Never mind a new stadium, Harps still can't get an online shop sorted ! It's not listed on their website, and if you google for it they have a page saying that they're working on it. Which has been up all year.


What about this instead? You'd be the talk of the town cruising around in your Delorean with this on the bumper.
https://www.ebay.com/p/?iid=222149074913&&&chn=ps

[Candystripe]

Latest news is that the Brandywell will still be a grass pitch. The 4g surface will be in the showgrounds where the dog track is being moved too.

The pitch will definitely be a 4G pitch. 😠

[outspoken]

An online shop is fairly low on the list of priorities this season..

It's fairly basic stuff, something Longford still can't be arsed to do mind. There's junior clubs that sell their gear online it should be made part of the licensing agreement it's that fecking basic

[Duggie]

An online shop is fairly low on the list of priorities this season..

thats what sums up why the league is never taken seriously. its not a priority. its one of the easiest things that can be done and its a source of income. a lot of the websites around the league are pathetic.

[oriel]

Every farmer in the country has the sort of covering that would do in some cases as do most GAA clubs. Increase costs on those examples a bit to box in the roofing so it doesnt look like a complete hay barn. I dont know why roofing areas even short to medium term isnt done. Yes it will look cat if let rot and ye dont want to be left with it forever like the main stand in Tolka. But really why does it cost so much to have cased RSGs raked to create a terrace that can have seating installed and then covered. I am being a bit flippant but if it is going to take 5+ years to having Oriel redeveloped it cant be that expensive to have a semi temporary roof over the away section and the town end terrace?? Or Bray replacing the canvass with the hay barn GAA example.

Dundalk could have done a temp roof for both areas to the side of the stand years ago, regardless of that ownership issue. Many people renting houses long term will do small bits like this. The club will argue they didn't have full ownership of the lease and may have had to pull it down, but as Nesta says if its going to be even more of a wait, it wouldn't have been that expensive to remove roofing, besides you would have gained the time it was up, disappointing it was never even considered.

Hopefully the report they are expecting in the summer will be encouraging to plan for much needed improvements. long term.

[BonnieShels]

An online shop is fairly low on the list of priorities this season..

Harps mugs have been low on the list for years!

[brendy_éire]

https://www.derrynow.com/soccer/work-progressing-well-new-stand-derry-citys-brandywell-stadium/164441

Wee bit on the Brandywell, including a photo of the structure of the stand.

[legendz]

When is work on the Brandywell expected to be completed? Where are Derry going to play their Europa qualifier?

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

When is work on the Brandywell expected to be completed? Where are Derry going to play their Europa qualifier?

Europa game in The Showgrounds

[pesky]

Just wondering if anyone has any news on any potential redevelopment at Oriel Park, also any news on the new Finn Harps stadium and the proposed new stand at Tallagh.

[sbgawa]

New stand in Tallaght is supposed to be starting in next few months

[oriel]

Just wondering if anyone has any news on any potential redevelopment at Oriel Park, also any news on the new Finn Harps stadium and the proposed new stand at Tallagh.

There were bits mentioned in various interviews with Kenny since he signed his new 3 year extension. The underlying theme appears to be he signed this on the strength of having been satisfied that the owners have given assurances that improvements will take place. He quoted 3 improvements already for next season that will go ahead, making use of the Youth Development Centre (YDC) - behind the shed, which passed into the owners hands when the lease issue was resolved. 3 new rooms to be fitted out, Medical centre, Sports Science room and Video Analysis centre. There are already indoor pitches there and dressing rooms and at least one bar that is not used.

He touched on the spectator redevelopment, but the club are waiting (as all fans are too) on the independent report from an outside company on what can be done. I would imagine when its available the club will then make their decision on what they can build, as they will need to apply for capital sports grants, maybe fai support and of course use some of their own money.

There is obviously so much that has to be done to the ground, its a very long list, in no particular order, a new stand behind the town goal, a new away end behind the opposite goal, and extending the main stand to as far as possible with planning considerations would be my choices. The shed side will probably need to be knocked down and rebuilt using the YDC as a background, but that can probably be done at a later stage. These might take years to complete, the outside report will probably dictate what they can do, and of course finance.

[nigel-harps1954]

I drove past Harps new stadium the other day and there was a few lads in hard-hats on site, presumably some of the planning lads or something of the sort. They've said that mid to late September we'll get word on when we're going again so assume the folks in on site were doing something towards that.

Seems like nothing really, but it's the most activity I've seen on site in a long time.

[brendy_éire]

Not LoI, but worth a mention. Riverside, Institute's ground, has been badly damaged from the floods the other day. The ground was the other option for where Derry would play this year, fortunate we went for Maginn after all.

https://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_700,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.newsletter.co.uk/webimage/1.8116891.1503499640!/image/image.jpg

http://www.irishleaguesupporters.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=17780&d=1503478200

Some drone footage here: https://drive.google.com/a/foylenet.org.uk/file/d/0B3TIRttFLOPQWlMtUjlfZFotZ2M/view?usp=sharing

There's more photos taken from inside the ground doing the rounds. Changing rooms, shop, offices, etc., all ruined. They reckon it'll take months to fix. There's 50cm of sludge (including fish) on top of the pitch, for a start.
The club aren't sure what their plans are at present. Scheduled to play Ballyclare in Riverside tomorrow, but they've switched the home and away fixtures.
That's an option for the next few months, but would leave the club with no gate receipts, which would be problematic.
Alternative grounds are Limavady Showgrounds (crowds would be terrible), Maginn Park (which is probably a non-starter) or Swilly Stadium (at a sport complex in Derry, could suffice).
Deseperate situation for the club to be in.

For comparison, what did Shels do when the Tolka flooded?

[Martinho II]

think Shels stayed put and reversed their relevant fixtures as far as I can remember.

[Philosophizer]

The IT are taking quite a pessimistic view on the whole Dalymount redevelopment.

Funding for the redevelopment of Dalymount has yet to materialise, however, and with the latest estimate of what the new ground is set to cost put at either €32 million or €36 million, depending on who you talk to, the timeframe or even the entire project as it is currently envisaged, might yet prove ambitious.

This was just a short paragraph in a piece about Shels - https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/national-league/shelbourne-looking-to-attract-investment-after-clearing-debts-1.3197478

[nigel-harps1954]

So, will Bohs be in Dalymount next season?

[sbgawa]

they'd be mad to move to tolka without some agreed contractual and time based agreement in place........they could move to Tolka and still be there in 5 years time as Dalymount disintegrates further

[Philosophizer]

Initially I thought the Dalyer redevelopment was a great deal for Bohs, but in the short-medium term it could work out quite badly for them. They could end up in Tolka for a lot longer than expected

From what I've heard, Bohs will start playing in Tolka from the start of next season but Construction work on Dalymount Park is unlikely to begin until 2018 or 2019 (http://www.the42.ie/shelbourne-bohemians-dalymount-park-3008986-Oct2016/)

If construction doesn't start until 2019, then you wouldn't be moving back in until 2021 at the earliest. And even then it would probably only be a main stand and a pitch. And what happens if another financial crisis hits or if there are delays in funding from the council, which, let's face it, there will be! Dalyer could conceivably be knocked early in 2018 so there would be no going back once they tear the Jodi down. With the way things happen in this country, I wouldn't be surprised if Bohs were stuck in Tolka for a decade.

[Martinho II]

seen it in the news that a ground in Buncrana I was in for our match in FAI cup match v Cockceltic has being badly damaged by the floods I am sorry to say!

[Sam_Heggy]

seen it in the news that a ground in Buncrana I was in for our match in FAI cup match v Cockceltic has being badly damaged by the floods I am sorry to say!

Yeah Cockhill Celtic and luckily for them (if you can say that) it was their 2nd pitch that was badly damaged by flooding. The new pitch is so high up that if it flooded there'd be a need for Noah and his ark to make a comeback.

[Martinho II]

thats not as bad Sam for some reason when I first heard it on the news I thought it was Cockhill Celtics main pitch that was effected. Its a surprise that McGinn Park wasnt effected?

[EatYerGreens]

thats not as bad Sam for some reason when I first heard it on the news I thought it was Cockhill Celtics main pitch that was effected. Its a surprise that McGinn Park wasnt effected?

Where would the water come from to flood Maginn Park though ?

[redobit]

Out of curiosity but why did Derry go for Maginn over Institute. Cost?
Maginn park is further away and the facilities aren't good enough for a LOI football that gets decent gates.
Institute is around the corner has more seating and more stands.

[brendy_éire]

Out of curiosity but why did Derry go for Maginn over Institute. Cost?
Maginn park is further away and the facilities aren't good enough for a LOI football that gets decent gates.
Institute is around the corner has more seating and more stands.

Flooding aside, Riverside would have been by far the better option.
We haven't really been given an explanation. There were various weak excuses, none at all convincing. In reality, the board just decided it themselves and weren't going to consider anywhere else, nor give a reason for their decision.

[EatYerGreens]

Flooding aside, Riverside would have been by far the better option.
We haven't really been given an explanation. There were various weak excuses, none at all convincing. In reality, the board just decided it themselves and weren't going to consider anywhere else, nor give a reason for their decision.

The club missed a big opportunity there IMO to build bridges in the city and try to tap into a completely different fanbase.

Plus Institute's ground would have seen them bring in more at the gate every match.

Very strange all-round.

[brendy_éire]

https://www.derrynow.com/soccer/brandywell-stadium-redevelopment-set-ready-pre-season-early-next-year/182239

Brandywell work set to be completed by the end of the year.

[cobhlad]

Athlone can now draw down a 200k grant for a new astro-turf after much deliberation. Good news on the face of it but who knows with the way things are playing out there. No mention of any recent match-fixing investigations in the article http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/athlone-town-soccer-club-can-now-draw-200k-government-grant-for-proposed-new-astro-turf-high-court-rules-36084746.html?utm_content=buffer0b966&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

[nigel-harps1954]

Athlone can now draw down a 200k grant for a new astro-turf after much deliberation. Good news on the face of it but who knows with the way things are playing out there. No mention of any recent match-fixing investigations in the article http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/athlone-town-soccer-club-can-now-draw-200k-government-grant-for-proposed-new-astro-turf-high-court-rules-36084746.html?utm_content=buffer0b966&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

"The court had been asked to make an order directing Athlone Town Stadium Ltd, which developed the €3million-plus 5,000 seater stadium, to consent to a charge being created over Athlone Town AFC’s leasehold interest in the property."

Wut?

[outspoken]

"The court had been asked to make an order directing Athlone Town Stadium Ltd, which developed the €3million-plus 5,000 seater stadium, to consent to a charge being created over Athlone Town AFC’s leasehold interest in the property."

Wut?

As far as I remember, the Athlone stadium was planned to be a 3 or 4 sided stadium and the Stand you see at the moment was phase 1, like most stadiums in this country it never saw phase 2,3 or 4

[Philosophizer]

This whole "phased approach" is a nonsense, and a cop out!

"Phased approach" is basically code for "you'll get phase 1. If you're v lucky you might get phase 2 in another decade, but don't count on it".

[outspoken]

This whole "phased approach" is a nonsense, and a cop out!

"Phased approach" is basically code for "you'll get phase 1. If you're v lucky you might get phase 2 in another decade, but don't count on it".

Exactly, and it's my biggest fear regarding the new Dalymount

[Philosophizer]

Exactly, and it's my biggest fear regarding the new Dalymount

The saving grace is that Dalymount is the historical home of Irish football so there might be slightly more of an incentive to do a full redevelopment (rather than just 1 stand and a pitch). As part of the overall Phibsborough rejuvenation plan there will supposably be a museum etc in the ground to make it a bit of a tourist attraction and money spinner for the council.

[redobit]

This whole "phased approach" is a nonsense, and a cop out!

"Phased approach" is basically code for "you'll get phase 1. If you're v lucky you might get phase 2 in another decade, but don't count on it".

There might be no money to do it, but there is another reason for the phased work. Lets say you get a small portion of money and the project runs smoothly with no headaches, well then you are highly likely to get more money. But if there is problems with the initial allocation of money - things like, if you go over budget, or it takes forever to get through the planning process or the construction period is dragged out. Then getting another round of money is less likely. It has to be run well, on-time and in budget.

[CorribsideSteve]

It has to be run well, on-time and in budget.

Well this is Ireland, so that's unlikely. Following the Stadium Developments of any LOI side that attempts to renovate is a Glacially Slow experience.

[brendy_éire]

Martin McGuinness said that the money for Phase 2 was guaranteed.
Not sure what the story is with that now, but I'd be more hopeful than usual that the money will appear, if only because SF candidates don't want a hard time on the doorsteps.

[Nesta99]

Well this is Ireland, so that's unlikely. Following the Stadium Developments of any LOI side that attempts to renovate is a Glacially Slow experience.

The planning system in this country is deeply flawed. It wasnt helped by the brown envelope mentality in the past and now the ott use of ABP particularly in dealing with objections that have little basis for objection bar the mischievious types who object to every damn thing they can. Referral to ABP is now mostly a tool to 'prove' transparency to the process which isnt really what ABP is for. They are overwhelmed as a result.
People generally dont attend planning consultation events for projects but then have conniption fits when planning is granted. It's soul destroying to have jumped through all the hoops, met all criteria set out by a councils enviorns development plan, have planning granted only for an objection made to ABP, adding up to a year on the planning process (and also the potential for some judicial review if ABP bin the objection), and often for tweaks to the plans all that is needed and should happen at local level.

Once planning is granted then its a different story where delays happen especially with funding (planning objections causing a mess with drawing down grants), tight budgets meaning not being able to tender to specialist stadia construction companies and then the usual lost build days due to weather. Not paying up for a good project manager always costs in the end too.

One objection that still rankles a bit from a past work life was against a small rural clubs training floodlights seemingly going to disrupt sleep patterns of livestock in the vicinity. ABP were then involved and the solution was simply adjusting the focus of a floodlight, just the one, and it took 9 months for this to be resolved - the club would have lost the grant due to the timing/delay bar for some common sense thinking from the dept of sport at the time. The objection was made by a chap who was involved with another club so just a messer waisting a lot of peoples time!!

[ToberonaTornado]

Last paragraph there Nesta99,was it Bellurgan Utd?

[Nesta99]

Nah, it was in mid-Louth.

[DannyInvincible]

Drone-shot of the Brandywell (from Twitter (https://twitter.com/conorfeeney83/status/902869921188769793)):

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIei2yXUMAAwq2r.jpg

[RathfarnhamHoop]

I only saw it from the car but looks like site notice is up at Tallaght Stadium now so I'd guess building is going to start soon, it's refreshing to see a league of Ireland building project run on schedule.

[jinxy lilywhite]

I only saw it from the car but looks like site notice is up at Tallaght Stadium now so I'd guess building is going to start soon, it's refreshing to see a league of Ireland building project run on schedule.

SDCC you mean

[Charlie Darwin]

Drone-shot of the Brandywell (from Twitter (https://twitter.com/conorfeeney83/status/902869921188769793)):

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIei2yXUMAAwq2r.jpg
If that's what it looks like from Twitter I'd love to see what it looks like from the sky.