Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

[EalingGreen]

The very broad rule of thumb for stadia in England pre-Covid was £1,000 per seat - which would be €1,150. That will have gone up since then, but not by a factor of x5 or more.
Update:
The local Council has just given Nottingham Forest planning permission to develop the City Ground to hold another 5k seats (to 35k).

The cost is... wait for it... expected to come in at £94m = almost £19k per seat!

Granted the scheme also includes a residential development, which Forest hope to to sell off to defray the stadium cost. However, they won't be allowed to sell the flats until after the stadium is complete.

More here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-62338821

[bohsmug]

Is there plans for the shopping centre end by the developer? If DCC had the will they could consider a compulsory purchase under some derelict site notice.

Yeah there's plans. That's about as long running and complicated as the stadium project to be honest. The developer doesn't own all of the shopping centre. Tesco own some of the existing shopping centre. So that plan has had multiple issues over the years. Would imagine it's unlikely in the extreme that some of that could be reclaimed. Even though just a small bit more would make a massive difference. I think you probably could fit a 600 capacity terrace in there if you sacrificed a bit from the other end but that's my opinion only and would still be a squeeze.

[nigel-harps1954]

A 400-500 capacity terrace at that end would be handy for away fans, all the same. A block of seats from Jodi, or new Connaught street stand would be ample enough for bigger away gates too.

[Shinkicker]

A 400-500 capacity terrace at that end would be handy for away fans, all the same. A block of seats from Jodi, or new Connaught street stand would be ample enough for bigger away gates too.
Bohs should release a statement with exact details and the see if the new design matches it. Then we'll know if the council are docking around again

[DCWA]

Let's go....

https://highlandradio.com/2022/07/28/green-light-given-for-completion-of-donegal-community-stadium/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook&fs=e&s=cl

Is it going to be a single stand stadium as it kind of looks like in photo?

Just my personal preferenfe but imo there is nothing worse.

[thebronze14]

Is it going to be a single stand stadium as it kind of looks like in photo?

Just my personal preferenfe but imo there is nothing worse.
That's an old photo. Going to be 4 stands. 1 stand would kill the club imo. We'd be another Athlone

[nigel-harps1954]

Four sides will all be completed. Main stand, partially built, to be completed with 1,930 seats.

New seated stand opposite (as seen in the photo below), with 1,400 seats.

Two covered terraces on either side with 1,400 capacity each.

Main stand will go up as planned, concrete, main buildings inside, dressing rooms and all other fancy stuff. The rest is modular build steel.

https://finnharps.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Artists-image-of-new-stadium-1024x576.jpg

[Philosophizer]

Four sides will all be completed. Main stand, partially built, to be completed with 1,930 seats.

New seated stand opposite (as seen in the photo below), with 1,400 seats.

Two covered terraces on either side with 1,400 capacity each.

Main stand will go up as planned, concrete, main buildings inside, dressing rooms and all other fancy stuff. The rest is modular build steel.

https://finnharps.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Artists-image-of-new-stadium-1024x576.jpg
That's great that it will be 4-sided. And terraces at each end - brilliant!

[Philosophizer]

Bohs should release a statement with exact details and the see if the new design matches it. Then we'll know if the council are docking around again
The exact details aren't known yet because the designs haven't been finalised. As reported on rte, the design team will only present preliminary plans in September.

"Those two options are for a scaled back version of the original plan or to refurbish the Jodi Stand, build a new main stand and two terraces.

The design team working on the stadium will present preliminary plans on both of those options, along with a costing report, that will be delivered at the start of September.

Under a new development schedule, the finalised design will be completed by the end of November, with construction planned to be completed by January 2026."

[DCWA]

Four sides will all be completed. Main stand, partially built, to be completed with 1,930 seats.

New seated stand opposite (as seen in the photo below), with 1,400 seats.

Two covered terraces on either side with 1,400 capacity each.

Main stand will go up as planned, concrete, main buildings inside, dressing rooms and all other fancy stuff. The rest is modular build steel.

https://finnharps.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Artists-image-of-new-stadium-1024x576.jpg

Happy days, brilliant job assuming all goes to plan.

[sbgawa]

Four sides will all be completed. Main stand, partially built, to be completed with 1,930 seats.

New seated stand opposite (as seen in the photo below), with 1,400 seats.

Two covered terraces on either side with 1,400 capacity each.

Main stand will go up as planned, concrete, main buildings inside, dressing rooms and all other fancy stuff. The rest is modular build steel.

https://finnharps.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Artists-image-of-new-stadium-1024x576.jpg

Thats brillient , when is commencement/ comp[letion approx?
ill miss Finn park but ill get over it

[nigel-harps1954]

Thats brillient , when is commencement/ comp[letion approx?
ill miss Finn park but ill get over it

Commencement is imminent.

Completion is anyones guess, but supposedly structures can all be up inside about a year or so and pitch takes another 9/10 months. If all goes full steam ahead, late summer 2024 is a realistic enough expectation.

[Shinkicker]

The exact details aren't known yet because the designs haven't been finalised. As reported on rte, the design team will only present preliminary plans in September.

"Those two options are for a scaled back version of the original plan or to refurbish the Jodi Stand, build a new main stand and two terraces.

The design team working on the stadium will present preliminary plans on both of those options, along with a costing report, that will be delivered at the start of September.
Thanks for the detailed reply. I fully understand your reply. Bohs would have

Under a new development schedule, the finalised design will be completed by the end of November, with construction planned to be completed by January 2026."
Many thanks for your lengthy an detailed reply. Bohs would have been given verbal details on which the designs would be based. My fear is, the designs come back different or very much scaled back again.
I see an article today where DL is commenting on 3 side terrace which he saw recently in Germany. Personally I think this would be great. Just like old Dalymount before the far terrace was cut to make a car park

[Shinkicker]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0730/1313135-berlin-trip-gave-bohs-new-outlook-on-dalymount-plans/

[legendz]

Where does safe terracing fit into UEFA guidelines?
If Thomond Park for arguments sake was hosting Sligo Rovers in the Europa Conference League, would they be allowed 15,000 seated and 11,000 standing?

[Shinkicker]

Where does safe terracing fit into UEFA guidelines?
If Thomond Park for arguments sake was hosting Sligo Rovers in the Europa Conference League, would they be allowed 15,000 seated and 11,000 standing? I don't think thomand wouldn't meet the standard. Although it's terracing there is a specification to be met. Obviously Dortmund, Berlin and Man City have it as well a others. It was installed and trialed before giving it approval. As far as I know and I can be corrected some countries didn't permit the trial and their stadiums remain seated. Unless Thomand was refurbed very recently incorporating the new standards I doubt your suggestion would be allowed.
I do like your thinking.
If safe standing is allowed it may be a more cost effective way to upgrade grounds and bring back crowds.

[Nesta99]

I am really glad that safe standing is getting proper consideration as really do not like sitting at games and especially when yer like a jack in the box with people around sitting then standing etc. For ground development is a good bit cheaper. If a new stand ever replaces the shed in Oriel it should be safe standing only i think especially if UEFA are on board.

There is damn all wrong with the Jodi Stand for its primary use, certainly nothing that a bit of a refurb couldnt sort so it makes sense to keep it. Build a new stand opposite of similar size and capacity and yer a long way toward having a good facility. A standing stand were where the old des kelly stand was and sufficient capacity for current demand is well covered. Design in to the stands relatively simple expansion for the future and then see if the legal mess that is the shopping centre end can be sorted. We should be looking at functional spectator facilities first and foremost and the whistles and bells after but included in development plans so future work is future proofed.

Its similar with Stranrolar, the revision of the revised plans above should really have been the plan from the beginning all along. Its great to aspire to have a ground that is up with best from similar leagues in Europe but the reality is that we just dont deliver, not once has an original planning submission come to fruition - they have all been either started and stalled, scaled back or binned. Even Sligo who are the best in the league for prioritising their ground and improve it on their own steam, had a significant delay between the building of their main stand and it going in to use, not decades of delay mind!! The original YDC plan at Oriel was like a fancy airport terminal but ended up as just another big warehouse type thing.

People can use the example of Athlone where one good stand and little else is not good, but Athlone were a basket case from before that development and ever since. If the same had happened initially at Harps imo it wouldnt have stopped there simply as there is an active supporter base and good will toward the club. 10 years ago it should have been 'lets get the main stand finished and the pitch in, the basics, and then go from there'. I know it may not have been as straight forward as it seems and we havent got the full story but the current plans are achievable, and would have been ages ago, certainly in increments.

[A N Mouse]

Four sides will all be completed. Main stand, partially built, to be completed with 1,930 seats.

New seated stand opposite (as seen in the photo below), with 1,400 seats.

Two covered terraces on either side with 1,400 capacity each.

Main stand will go up as planned, concrete, main buildings inside, dressing rooms and all other fancy stuff. The rest is modular build steel.

https://finnharps.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Artists-image-of-new-stadium-1024x576.jpg

Nice.

And they only have to redesignate the land for construction? Once Harps move in it goes back to 'agricultural use' 😛

[Nesta99]

Yeah there's plans. That's about as long running and complicated as the stadium project to be honest. The developer doesn't own all of the shopping centre. Tesco own some of the existing shopping centre. So that plan has had multiple issues over the years. Would imagine it's unlikely in the extreme that some of that could be reclaimed. Even though just a small bit more would make a massive difference. I think you probably could fit a 600 capacity terrace in there if you sacrificed a bit from the other end but that's my opinion only and would still be a squeeze.

Tesco could play ball with DCC. The developer could be incentivised also. Its a site thats big enough to have a reasonable sized spectators area and high density housing bot incorporated in to it. There will have to be a move pretty soon one way or another when the govt introduce planned levies on derelict or infill sites that are being held on to rather than being developed. There will be a use it or lose it clause by some time next year so now would be an ideal time to approach the different parties involved to get development plan together for the old terrace and the adjoining retail units. The high rise building and façade of Tesco/shops I think have had a preservation notice on them so would have to be incorporated in to a broader redevelopment of the area somehow.

[Nesta99]

Nice.

And they only have to redesignate the land for construction? Once Harps move in it goes back to 'agricultural use' 

That made me snort my tea! lol

[EatYerGreens]

Tesco could play ball with DCC. The developer could be incentivised also. Its a site thats big enough to have a reasonable sized spectators area and high density housing bot incorporated in to it. There will have to be a move pretty soon one way or another when the govt introduce planned levies on derelict or infill sites that are being held on to rather than being developed. There will be a use it or lose it clause by some time next year so now would be an ideal time to approach the different parties involved to get development plan together for the old terrace and the adjoining retail units. The high rise building and façade of Tesco/shops I think have had a preservation notice on them so would have to be incorporated in to a broader redevelopment of the area somehow.

But Dalmyount remains in use, and the areas that aren't used on matchdays are part od the broader site. So I can;t see how they could be deemed as derelict and not in use - without them being formally/legally cut off from the rest of the site ?

[Nesta99]

Different owners of multiple parcels of land behind the shopping centre goal thats not in use and is derelict and no longer is part of Dalymount in that regard.

[Mr A]

Statement from FHFC: https://finnharps.ie/bringithome/

And if anyone wants to help make it happen and maybe win €20k in doing so, we would really appreciate it!

[legendz]

Interesting stadium plan by Finn Harps. I hope they get this over the line.

[Mr A]

Interesting stadium plan by Finn Harps. I hope they get this over the line.

Buy a pile of tickets and help us make it happen :)

[legendz]

Buy a pile of tickets and help us make it happen :)I supported a Finn Harps draw many years ago. My help didn't make it happen then sadly. The work stalled. I will however enter the draw for September. Remember me when the Kingdom enters the League of Ireland.

[Mr A]

Oh I will be there!

[Philosophizer]

Is probably been mentioned here before but what's the reason behind the terraced end at Tolka only half opened. I see they've installed a big fence about half way up so only the lower half of the terrace can hold people. I'm assuming it's a health and safety thing? Like the perimeter walls aren't good at the back or the stand can safely only hold so much weight??
They've done a great job with that terrace tho - it looks the business. Brings a great atmosphere too.

[thebronze14]

Is probably been mentioned here before but what's the reason behind the terraced end at Tolka only half opened. I see they've installed a big fence about half way up so only the lower half of the terrace can hold people. I'm assuming it's a health and safety thing? Like the perimeter walls aren't good at the back or the stand can safely only hold so much weight??
They've done a great job with that terrace tho - it looks the business. Brings a great atmosphere too.

Toilet facilities aren't there to let more fans in

[Philosophizer]

Toilet facilities aren't there to let more fans in
God that's poor. And they couldn't even install portable toilets somewhere in order to get that terrace opened fully?

[Mr A]

I've heard those are very hard to get at the moment. So many gigs and events happening post covid that there is a shortage.

[LOI101]

I heard earlier in the year it was due to fire regs. There'd need to be more exits if there was more people allowed in that end. No idea how true that is

[thebronze14]

I've heard those are very hard to get at the moment. So many gigs and events happening post covid that there is a shortage.

I've noticed we haven't had the portaloo in the shed side this year either. Wonder has it to do with that. What's the story with the random seating now behind where the order of malta bes as well?

[nigel-harps1954]

I've noticed we haven't had the portaloo in the shed side this year either. Wonder has it to do with that. What's the story with the random seating now behind where the order of malta bes as well?

They were the subs extra seating last year. They were the old seats from the back of the shed, just never put back. We should just take them all out and screw them down on the town end, or work them into the shed as far as I'm concerned.

[nr637]

Has the Connaught Road demolition work actually started?

[colonelwest]

Has the Connaught Road demolition work actually started?

Seats all removed and pre smashing it to bits work done over the last week or so, would expect it to start being rased after this weekend.

[nr637]

Seats all removed and pre smashing it to bits work done over the last week or so, would expect it to start being rased after this weekend.

Any images of the work in progress!

[colonelwest]

Any images of the work in progress!

Only what I saw in a mail to members of the seats & what's already out there on social media, they're offering them to members as keepsakes and to be collected this weekend. All are in absolute rag order though and not fit for much, never mind sitting in!

Think demolition work is starting early next week then, if I'm around I'll throw my head in and see if I can grab a few snaps at some stage next week.

[vinnie]

Bought


Statement from FHFC: https://finnharps.ie/bringithome/

And if anyone wants to help make it happen and maybe win €20k in doing so, we would really appreciate it!

[colonelwest]

Only what I saw in a mail to members of the seats & what's already out there on social media, they're offering them to members as keepsakes and to be collected this weekend. All are in absolute rag order though and not fit for much, never mind sitting in!

Think demolition work is starting early next week then, if I'm around I'll throw my head in and see if I can grab a few snaps at some stage next week.


Just to follow on from this after being at the Dundalk game, only seats removed from two sections of the Connaught, half a block each.

They still have to remove all the rest before they can bring in the wrecking crew to take it down. Del Boy was saying they're keeping the turnstyles and they'll be put back in for the proper new stand when it goes up during the full redevelopment which is great to hear, any bit of history that can be kept in use is great to see.

It's a pity the Connaught was a concrete pour as it'll all just go back to mush to be recycled into another pour elsewhere. It'd be great to see if they could ensure the stuff removed could get recycled back into the pour or construction of the redeveloped stand, probably a logistical non runner though. If it was bricks and mortar they could sell it off as memorabilia or put some of it back in to keep the history of the place going.

[EatYerGreens]

It's a pity the Connaught was a concrete pour as it'll all just go back to mush to be recycled into another pour elsewhere. It'd be great to see if they could ensure the stuff removed could get recycled back into the pour or construction of the redeveloped stand, probably a logistical non runner though. If it was bricks and mortar they could sell it off as memorabilia or put some of it back in to keep the history of the place going.

Are you sure that old concrete gets liquidised and re-used that way ? That's news to me. Surely it'll be re-bar, with reinforced metal bars throughout the inside ? And then there's the issue with dealing with contaminants from such an old and weathered structure.

My understanding is that concrete just got crushed into small bits and then used as aggegate (i.e. concrete stones for filling things).

[Shinkicker]

Are you sure that old concrete gets liquidised and re-used that way ? That's news to me. Surely it'll be re-bar, with reinforced metal bars throughout the inside ? And then there's the issue with dealing with contaminants from such an old and weathered structure.

My understanding is that concrete just got crushed into small bits and then used as aggegate (i.e. concrete stones for filling things).
The crushers have magnets to remove any metal in the concrete. It will be crushed most likely into an aggregate some of which may be put back into concrete the rest will be used as a fill type aggregate. They will be bits of Dalymount all over Dublin. If they get the finger out some could be use in Tallaght stadium meaning Bohs will be a thorn in their side forever.

[EatYerGreens]

The crushers have magnets to remove any metal in the concrete. It will be crushed most likely into an aggregate some of which may be put back into concrete the rest will be used as a fill type aggregate. They will be bits of Dalymount all over Dublin. If they get the finger out some could be use in Tallaght stadium meaning Bohs will be a thorn in their side forever.

Or Bohs would be beneath them always ?

[Nesta99]

When the 1st artificial surface was being laid in Oriel a Linfield fan in the employment of the installation company bleated ad nauseum how he'd put a Linfield shirt under the penalty spot at the town end goal. He gave over about it when it was said that all it means is that lots of people will just be walking all over his clubs shirt. Not quite the same thing but if filling from Dalymount was ever actually used in Tallaght it would just have a bunch of Rovers asses sitting on it.

Has the Connaught St stand been in Dalymount for basically forever? There are likely to be long term die hard Ireland fans that would take a piece, similar to when Hill 16 was being redone and even the North and South Terraces of Landsdowne. Wouldnt be a money thing but could be a PR job to offer the opportunity. Id presume that there would be very little need for any aggregate, repurposed or not, for the modular prefab steel base construction methods that would be used. Probably only good for land reclamation or coastal flood defences.

[EatYerGreens]

When the 1st artificial surface was being laid in Oriel a Linfield fan in the employment of the installation company bleated ad nauseum how he'd put a Linfield shirt under the penalty spot at the town end goal. He gave over about it when it was said that all it means is that lots of people will just be walking all over his clubs shirt. Not quite the same thing but if filling from Dalymount was ever actually used in Tallaght it would just have a bunch of Rovers asses sitting on it.

Has the Connaught St stand been in Dalymount for basically forever? There are likely to be long term die hard Ireland fans that would take a piece, similar to when Hill 16 was being redone and even the North and South Terraces of Landsdowne. Wouldnt be a money thing but could be a PR job to offer the opportunity. Id presume that there would be very little need for any aggregate, repurposed or not, for the modular prefab steel base construction methods that would be used. Probably only good for land reclamation or coastal flood defences.

I suspect most Ireland fans have long broken any emotional connect with Dalymount. I could be wrong, but games have been at Lasndowne for so long now that many wouldn't remember the era before that last century, or care all that much I reckon.

[John83]

Or Bohs would be beneath them always ?
Sounds like a premise Stephen King would run with.

[Nesta99]

I suspect most Ireland fans have long broken any emotional connect with Dalymount. I could be wrong, but games have been at Lasndowne for so long now that many wouldn't remember the era before that last century, or care all that much I reckon.

You are probably right though even as a kid I remember clearly Liam Brady scoring in Dalymount against Brazil. Also the securing of a 1st league and cup double in my time 1988 by Dundalk.

[sadloserkid]

You are probably right though even as a kid I remember clearly Liam Brady scoring in Dalymount against Brazil. Also the securing of a 1st league and cup double in my time 1988 by Dundalk.

When was that Nesta? I know Brady scored when we beat them in that 1987 friendly but that game was in Lansdowne. Was there another I'm not remembering?

[Nesta99]

Hmm, you are correct and right SLK, I obviously wasnt clear in memory and always thought that game was in Dalymount. I may be mixing up games though in meagre defence I was 8 at the time. My first time in Dalymount was the 88 cup final - if someone now tells me that was in Landsdowne Road too Im off to see a doctor in the morning!

[sadloserkid]

No fault Nesta, us early 40-somethings have to be excused these only occasional lapses. I remember a friendly against France in Dalymounts in the late 80s. It made an appearance on my Road to Italy VHS tape and made some sort of strange impression.