Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

[David BOHie]

In Ireland you have to double that.

2mil for 2,000 seats?

[Nesta99]

Dunno, the FAI pay our rent in between organising money-spinning friendlies.

Well at SDCC rates it's no wonder FAI finances are a mess then!

[LFC Blue]

2261
The Markets Field dressing rooms beginning to take shape.

[osarusan]

A-Bomb proof, as ordered.

[GalwayFrancis]

I got the grand tour of underneath the new stand at EDP on Friday. What a great facility! Bringing EDP upto and beyond UEFA standards.
Two big dressing rooms (seating 35 each) with great shower facilities etc, medic room, refs room, groundskeeper office (well deserved), tea room (already in use), 5/6 storage rooms for the Galway FA, some offices, a room that can be used as shop or similar at the away end and a very impressive entrance/tunnel ("run out onto the pitch area") in the middle of the stand.
Walls are painted and the dressing rooms are nearly finished (and to a very high standard), internal doors are up and painted. The floor covering is to be laid throughout the stand, I would imagine this will take a couple of weeks.
I didn't ask for a completion date, but I would imagine it will be ready to go by the end of June at the latest.

[toffeejay]

Most of these facilities were located behind the goal on Dyke Road weren't they?

Any news on what they might do behind the goal once its done?

[GalwayFrancis]

Ya everything apart from the chippers, sweet shop, kit shop and the tea room are located in the club house behind the dyke road goal.
No word on what they will do with the clubhouse yet. Upstairs is being currently used as a media briefing room (10/15 seats facing an interview table) and the security room/Public announcing room. And storage rooms. Down stairs there is dressing rooms, refs room and some small offices and toilets.

[oriel]

Good article in Dundalk democrat today, interview with chairman on plans for oriel park. It's suggesting if the current owners get full ownership of the lease, and they've made a bit of progress on that (it's held by previous owner Gerry Matthews, or his company), that they could use some of the European prize money for ground redevelopments.

This can't start until the lease is sorted, as they can't apply for anything more than 20k capital sports grants until they have ownership, plus they will need to use their own money together with grants, as obviously the costs will be major. So hopefully things might move in the right direction on ground redevelopment in the not too distant future. All roads pointing towards that lease though, they need to get that under their control first.

We shall see how this develops.

[gufcfan]

Good article in Dundalk democrat today, interview with chairman on plans for oriel park.
Assuming the lease issues can be worked out, what are the most immediate plans for OP? Long way off yet I'm sure, but just curious.

[nigel-harps1954]

Assuming the lease issues can be worked out, what are the most immediate plans for OP? Long way off yet I'm sure, but just curious.

Crisps and coke shop for when Longford visit.

[atfconline]

Good article in Dundalk democrat today, interview with chairman on plans for oriel park. It's suggesting if the current owners get full ownership of the lease, and they've made a bit of progress on that (it's held by previous owner Gerry Matthews, or his company), that they could use some of the European prize money for ground redevelopments.

This can't start until the lease is sorted, as they can't apply for anything more than 20k capital sports grants until they have ownership, plus they will need to use their own money together with grants, as obviously the costs will be major. So hopefully things might move in the right direction on ground redevelopment in the not too distant future. All roads pointing towards that lease though, they need to get that under their control first.

We shall see how this develops.

Even if the lease was sorted tomorrow though, the current round of Sports Capital Grants is already closed to applications.

[oriel]

Assuming the lease issues can be worked out, what are the most immediate plans for OP? Long way off yet I'm sure, but just curious.

I'd say permanent structures to be built would be a priority as the stadium clearly needs a facelift on almost every side. Also there are no toilets on the shed side, and only temporary ones at the away end, and this is just unacceptable in this day and age.

The floodlights will also need to be upgraded. The main stand may possibly be looked at with a view to extend, (pending planning issues) additional seating all over the ground, covered if possible, and upgrading or more likely relocating the away end. It's a long long list to take the stadium into the modern era, and even if they can apply for grants, it won't happen overnight.

The pitch will be changed at the end of this season regardless, as it's the final year of the current version. The options will be an upgrade to next version artificial or a return to grass, as much as I'd like to see the latter, I can't see it happening. There would be far too much ground work required, but I could be wrong.

[Ezeikial]

I'd say permanent structures to be built would be a priority as the stadium clearly needs a facelift on almost every side. Also there are no toilets on the shed side, and only temporary ones at the away end, and this is just unacceptable in this day and age.

The floodlights will also need to be upgraded. The main stand may possibly be looked at with a view to extend, (pending planning issues) additional seating all over the ground, covered if possible, and upgrading or more likely relocating the away end. It's a long long list to take the stadium into the modern era, and even if they can apply for grants, it won't happen overnight.

The pitch will be changed at the end of this season regardless, as it's the final year of the current version. The options will be an upgrade to next version artificial or a return to grass, as much as I'd like to see the latter, I can't see it happening. There would be far too much ground work required, but I could be wrong.

While the pitch and floodlights are pressing (although not necessarily by the end of this season), I would be amazed if there is any other significant stadium development in the foreseeable future.

Getting into the next round of Champions League might accelerate the process marginally

[oriel]

Yep, I'd agree with this, taking into account everything, any redevelopments would more than likely be very gradual.

[nigel-harps1954]

Update on the Markets Field on Facebook today.

https://scontent-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11214038_700141480112947_5876910751348758527_n.jpg ?oh=8476040454c9c4a40026b7c7a18a45ac&oe=55D56ADC


Precast now complete and sealing being completed to make it ready for seating by month end ... Place really taking shape now with final civils work being done to lay ducts


The base for the away stand is being laid in the next few days and it will be constructed on site at the same time as the seating being put in. I believe that you should keep an eye to the Mulgrave street sky also over the next night or two as the lights will be tested and commissioned. The old bar area is being recommissioned as a hospitality suite for both match day and other functions. It is being refitted to a very high spec and will be reglazed and refitted completely. As license holders of the Markets Field the arrangements for shops in the ground on match day will be down to Limerick FC, however as we do not have a bar license (deliberately) no alcohol will be on sale in the ground

[LFC Blue]

Great progress at the Markets Field. Things really being done to a high spec. It should give the side a great boost in 4 weeks time.

[Yossarian]

Why have they (deliberately) not got a bar licence? A bar can be a decent earner for a club.

[nigel-harps1954]

Why have they (deliberately) not got a bar licence? A bar can be a decent earner for a club.

They gave an explanation for that too.


the decision on the bar was made on two grounds 1) any commercialisation leads to higher rateable valuation 2) As a body dedicated to the promotion of business we want to allow local businesses to benefit from the lift that match day supporters will bring. There are at last count nearly 10 pubs within a 10 minute walk including three within two minutes of the ground

[Park_Lane]

New toilet(s) in EDP with a two up front feel.
https://twitter.com/paulgaillimh/status/596720449700110336?s=09

[Mr A]

#GreatestLeagueInTheWorld

[patrickccfc]

New toilet(s) in EDP with a two up front feel.
https://twitter.com/paulgaillimh/status/596720449700110336?s=09

incredible, Galway have come up with invisible walls. But seriously, I'm hoping this is incomplete?

[Duffman]

Concrete
plans!
Update on the Markets Field on Facebook today.

https://scontent-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11214038_700141480112947_5876910751348758527_n.jpg ?oh=8476040454c9c4a40026b7c7a18a45ac&oe=55D56ADC

[Park_Lane]

incredible, Galway have come up with invisible walls. But seriously, I'm hoping this is incomplete?

Incomplete alright. Jacks roll and brush to be added still.

[White Horse]

Why have they (deliberately) not got a bar licence? A bar can be a decent earner for a club.

Far sighted club. It will be BYO on match night.

[nigel-harps1954]

http://www.highlandradio.com/2015/05/11/work-to-resume-on-harps-stadium-this-summer/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Club secretary John Campbell gives a brief run down of the next steps involved in the stadium development at Finn Park.

In essence, progress has been slow and there's been a lot of bureaucratic nonsense but they hope that the next drawdown of grant money comes in the next couple of months and that drawdown will see significant work done on the stadium.

[ForzaHoop]

It would be great if Harps could get into the new Stadium next year as well as into the Premier league

[outspoken]

http://www.highlandradio.com/2015/05/11/work-to-resume-on-harps-stadium-this-summer/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Club secretary John Campbell gives a brief run down of the next steps involved in the stadium development at Finn Park.

In essence, progress has been slow and there's been a lot of bureaucratic nonsense but they hope that the next drawdown of grant money comes in the next couple of months and that drawdown will see significant work done on the stadium.

So if ye don't get that grant money?

[nigel-harps1954]

We already have been allocated the grant money. There's no more to be awarded, it's just the draw-down of the grant money to the club and construction company which comes in installments.

It would be going so much faster if the money was already there, but the crash in economy and construction sector really hit the company in charge of the building and they're relying on the grant money coming to them first before building any more from what I am aware of. It's all very tricky and very frustrating altogether.

Essentially, to answer your question, the big part of the deal is that Harps don't move into the stadium until it's finished, and the construction company, due to be handed Finn Park once completed, don't get their hands on any part of that land until building is completed. A bit of a Mexican stand off as such.

[outspoken]

We already have been allocated the grant money. There's no more to be awarded, it's just the draw-down of the grant money to the club and construction company which comes in installments.

It would be going so much faster if the money was already there, but the crash in economy and construction sector really hit the company in charge of the building and they're relying on the grant money coming to them first before building any more from what I am aware of. It's all very tricky and very frustrating altogether.

Essentially, to answer your question, the big part of the deal is that Harps don't move into the stadium until it's finished, and the construction company, due to be handed Finn Park once completed, don't get their hands on any part of that land until building is completed. A bit of a Mexican stand off as such.

I thought the fai were contributing as it was to be a new centre of excellence? Surely it's in their interests as much as anyone else to see the stadium completed.

[ForzaHoop]

Shame they can't give a more definite deadline on completion of each section or rough idea when
they propose to move into new Harps stadium

[thomas72]

Concrete
plans!


http://m.limerickleader.ie/sport/limerick-sport/markets-field-on-track-for-june-5-opening-night-1-6746501

Some info what's done and what's left to do before June 5th going well hospitality suit to cater for 100 people in there aswell.
Pity about the team.

[Flexy]

Phase 1 of Brandywell work due to start on 28th May, apparently.
Glentoran stand to be demolished and new 1,800 seater stand with corporate facilities to be built in it's place.

I'll believe it when I see it.
right 28th may has come and gone and still no work done. Another broken promise from mr o doherty our chairman. As a fan im cheesed off with broken promises from the club enough is enough

[Nesta99]

suit to cater for 100 people

Is the seller called PatD by any chance?

[wonder88]

Is that J Campell the same Campell who is Chairman of Donegal CC ?

[Sam_Heggy]

Is that J Campell the same Campell who is Chairman of Donegal CC ?

No, 2 different John Campbells.

[pateen]

Any update from Limerick lads?

[LFC Blue]

Any update from Limerick lads?

Everything seems to be right on schedule for next Friday night. Turnstiles and away stand in place and 1300 seats being put in place in the stand since this morning so roll on next week👍

[LFC Blue]

2270

Picture as of today courtesy of LFC supporters club facebook. Looks impressive.

[Nesta99]

Good to see the seats in in the stand but by god it seems is if the work is going on forever and that an all seater could be done as quick!

[White Horse]

2270

Picture as of today courtesy of LFC supporters club facebook. Looks impressive.

Why green seats? Don't you play in blue?

[Longfordian]

Limerick county colours I guess since it's not being built by LFC.

[White Horse]

Limerick county colours I guess since it's not being built by LFC.

I didn't realise it was a Gah stadium.

[Charlie Darwin]

I didn't realise it was a Gah stadium.
SDCC has some silly multi-coloured job too. Probably just LEDP making clear it's not LFC's stadium.

[Nesta99]

I didn't realise it was a Gah stadium.

Our own seating is a bit Gah tbf and hardly black or white!

[Yossarian]

Our own seating is a bit Gah tbf and hardly black or white!

Well our own seats in the terrace and shed did come from Croke Park so that may explain that!

[Mr A]

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/bohemians-make-deal-over-future-of-dalymount-park-1.2232262

Shels dropped from Dalymount deal. Which I think is what their fans wanted anyway.

[dublinwanderer]

Limericks place looks great, will there be a cover on the away fans stand?

[donnrua]

Limericks place looks great, will there be a cover on the away fans stand?


No. The LEDP made sure that the home fans are ****ed off with the state of the ground, and the away fans get ****ed on.... Oh and the away team gets 3 points!!!

[Nesta99]

Our own seating is a bit Gah tbf and hardly black or white!

Yup! thats what I was inferring!

[gufcfan]

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/bohemians-make-deal-over-future-of-dalymount-park-1.2232262

Shels dropped from Dalymount deal. Which I think is what their fans wanted anyway.

"A section of fans" RTÉ said. God almighty...