Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

[Charlie Darwin]

Far as I know both sides were trying to lump the other side with the deadweight YDC.

[sadloserkid]

Some spies tell me there was a plot of land bought in case Oriel dispute wasn't resolved.

I have a vague memory of hearing this somewhere too. It may have been from nigel-harps of course...

[jinxy lilywhite]

Pls share lads.

The only plots I can think of is the former hiney park behind oriel that was purchased from GM/nama at auction last year or 18 months ago. This was bought by the grammar school.

Dkit have land on the south of town where their proposal for a ground for louth gaa fell by the wayside a decade or so ago.

[sbgawa]

Dundalk have come to an agreement with previous owner Gerry Matthews and now have the lease to Oriel Park. The Youth Development Centre behind the shed is now also in control of the club. Massive news!

That's fantastic news and hopefully they can kick on now start with the pitch and do the rebuild next year

[oriel]

The club will still need to reach agreement with the council before any rebuilding starts. If and when that happens, I'd imagine any spectator improvement plans will be gradual and over a few years, the pitch is the priority.

[ToberonaTornado]

Latest from Dundalk


STATEMENT Dundalk Football Club can confirm that progress has been made with resolving all of our long-standing issues relating to the lease of Oriel Park. However, until all arrangements are complete, we are not in a position to give a full and detailed statement on this matter.
We are very disappointed that a confidential document was irresponsibly issued in our name without our consent or knowledge this morning. We understand that this has created a demand for information but we need to proceed with care at this time. We will make a full statement when this process is fully complete.


Club not to happy with the Argus lad who released the earlier statement.


We are very disappointed that a confidential document was irresponsibly issued in our name without our consent or knowledge this morning. We understand that this has created a demand for information but we need to proceed with care at this time. We will make a full statement when this process is fully complete.

http://www.dundalkfc.com/statement-2/

[nigel-harps1954]

Pls share lads.

The only plots I can think of is the former hiney park behind oriel that was purchased from GM/nama at auction last year or 18 months ago. This was bought by the grammar school.

Dkit have land on the south of town where their proposal for a ground for louth gaa fell by the wayside a decade or so ago.

I was told a few weeks back about it. Was told where it was too, but can't remember exactly where. It's only a mile or two from Oriel if that's any good?

My info is from a pretty solid source too. Not exactly Maxi and his stadium plans

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

The club will still need to reach agreement with the council before any rebuilding starts. If and when that happens, I'd imagine any spectator improvement plans will be gradual and over a few years, the pitch is the priority.

The pitch isn't up to standard?!!

[White Horse]

That's fantastic news and hopefully they can kick on now start with the pitch and do the rebuild next year

The council is a bigger stumbling block. They want their pound of flesh.

[disgruntled]

The council is a bigger stumbling block. They want their pound of flesh.

From who?
Surely if Dundalk didn't own anything then they wouldn't be liable ?

If the stadium matter is settled then that's great news for Dundalk FC.
I'm sure there are some simple things which can be done in the interest of fan safety & comfort without the need for planning permission ?

[Ezeikial]

The club will still need to reach agreement with the council before any rebuilding starts. If and when that happens, I'd imagine any spectator improvement plans will be gradual and over a few years, the pitch is the priority.

It appears that the club have reached an agreement with the previous owner but not with the council. It is probably that there is no deal unless all parties are signed up (DFC / Gerry Matthews / Des Casey . Louth Co Co) - this is not resolved and the status quo remains as it was.

[sbgawa]

It appears that the club have reached an agreement with the previous owner but not with the council. It is probably that there is no deal unless all parties are signed up (DFC / Gerry Matthews / Des Casey . Louth Co Co) - this is not resolved and the status quo remains as it was.

Normally rates have to be paid up at the transfer of ownership of a premises same as property tax for example. The council wI'll hopefully accept a reduced amount to get paid.

[Ezeikial]

Normally rates have to be paid up at the transfer of ownership of a premises same as property tax for example. The council wI'll hopefully accept a reduced amount to get paid.

The point being made is that no transfer of ownership / new lease is likely to happen without a deal being finalised with the Council. Therefore the club do not currently have any liability for these building levies.

[patrickccfc]

This must be massively frustrating for dundalk. During probably the most successful period in their history, to get over one stumbling block but another one in the shape of the council. Hopefully it can be resolved sooner rather than later

[seand]

With a bit of luck the richest, most successful club in the history of Irish football might soon be in a position to improve Oriel to the standards we've come to expect at St Mels and Jackman Park.

[White Horse]

With a bit of luck the richest, most successful club in the history of Irish football might soon be in a position to improve Oriel to the standards we've come to expect at St Mels and Jackman Park.

LMFM are reporting that Rod Stewart stopped off in Dundalk today to visit the "Home of Football".

[ForzaHoop]

Any word on work in the Brandywell or any talk at all from harps on any progress with ground

[Dazzy]

Any word on work in the Brandywell or any talk at all from harps on any progress with ground

Contractor announced today - McAleer and Teague

Proposed Site Layout - http://epicdocs.planningni.gov.uk/ViewDocument.aspx?guid=e86bec26-28ff-4227-9d55-aa469710ef1d

Floor Plan - http://epicdocs.planningni.gov.uk/ViewDocument.aspx?guid=0b06020a-7a49-40d3-8457-d3dce9751793

Looks to be the three center blocks being built. Not sure of the costs but looks like the contract is for £6.44m.

[joey B]

Contractor announced today - McAleer and Teague

Proposed Site Layout - http://epicdocs.planningni.gov.uk/ViewDocument.aspx?guid=e86bec26-28ff-4227-9d55-aa469710ef1d

Floor Plan - http://epicdocs.planningni.gov.uk/ViewDocument.aspx?guid=0b06020a-7a49-40d3-8457-d3dce9751793

Looks to be the three center blocks being built. Not sure of the costs but looks like the contract is for £6.44m.

They're not building the stand in it entirety just part of it?? Can't be welcomed by your fans im sure!

[ForzaHoop]

Can't open those links, so when is the work to start on the Development in the brandywell ? Will you have to use Ground in Buncrana ?
Not a peep out of anyone on development plans for Finn park, crazy............

[gufcfan]

Contractor announced today - McAleer and Teague

Proposed Site Layout - http://epicdocs.planningni.gov.uk/ViewDocument.aspx?guid=e86bec26-28ff-4227-9d55-aa469710ef1d

Floor Plan - http://epicdocs.planningni.gov.uk/ViewDocument.aspx?guid=0b06020a-7a49-40d3-8457-d3dce9751793

Looks to be the three center blocks being built. Not sure of the costs but looks like the contract is for £6.44m.

You can't link to anything within that planning app view software.

Cross section of stand. (http://i.imgur.com/mLb4VMf.png)

Plan view - Left side of stand (http://i.imgur.com/CzSYa7t.png)

Plan view - Right side (http://i.imgur.com/qotyk6r.jpg)

[ForzaHoop]

Any dates on start date etc, would be great to have most of it complete for European games

[brendy_éire]

Can't open those links, so when is the work to start on the Development in the brandywell ? Will you have to use Ground in Buncrana ?

Monday week, apparently.
Depends if they get pitch sorted first or not, which they really should attempt to do. If it's not sorted, I'd assume we'll ask to play our first few games away.
Options other than that are all rumours really. Celtic Park, Riverside, Maginn Park (Buncrana) and even Sligo Showgrounds all have been mentioned.

[nigel-harps1954]

Looks really interesting. Is the whole lot of that stand being built at once or in sections?

[brendy_éire]

Looks really interesting. Is the whole lot of that stand being built at once or in sections?

Sections, we think.

[White Horse]

http://www.dundalkfc.com/statement-dundalk-fc-resolve-legal-issues/

Dundalk Football Club are delighted to confirm that we have concluded the process to resolve all of the long-standing legal problems surrounding the lease of Oriel Park. As a result of this process, Dundalk Football Club have taken full ownership of the lease of Oriel Park and the YDC building.

Dundalk FC have already been visited by pitch specialists in order to move forward with a new playing surface that we hope will be in place for the start of the 2017 season.

[sbgawa]

Fantastic news.
Will be interesting to see the plans for the stadium redevelopment next.

[jinxy lilywhite]

That was some **** you statement to matthews.

Thankfully it's resolved and all parties can move forward

[Longfordian]

Rare that there isn't even the slightest pretence that there was any kind of amicable arrangement. I'd be curious to know what eventually made Matthews go away.

[White Horse]

Rare that there isn't even the slightest pretence that there was any kind of amicable arrangement. I'd be curious to know what eventually made Matthews go away.

€€€€€

[brendy_éire]

Decent statement and nice to see that's it's finally sorted. Was there really need for the sycophantic name check to our Glorious Leader though?

[Real ale Madrid]

John Delaney gets his mention again - I'm surprised he doesn't run as an elected representative he has so many favors to call in he would win no problem.


However, it must be pointed out that the FAI did take an active interest in this situation and provided a lot of support and advice in order to find a resolution.

[disgruntled]

Rare that there isn't even the slightest pretence that there was any kind of amicable arrangement. I'd be curious to know what eventually made Matthews go away.


€€€€€

Exactly. ​ No matter is great for you to be rid of him.
I'm delighted for Dundalk that this is finally put to bed.
They can now move on to make the long overdue necessary improvements to Oriel Park.
Any idea when any improvements are likely to happen ?

[White Horse]

They can now move on to make the long overdue necessary improvements to Oriel Park.
Any idea when any improvements are likely to happen ?

The priority is to get a new pitch in place for the start of the 2017 season.

I would hope that basic facilities (toilets etc.) can be addressed by then too. Redeveloping the stadium may take longer, depending on how much preparatory work has been done to date. I suspect that very little has been done due to how busy the club has been this season.

[sbgawa]

Decent statement and nice to see that's it's finally sorted. Was there really need for the sycophantic name check to our Glorious Leader though?

Yes because at a guess the FAI are contributing to the upgrade of the ground and thus Dundalk paid off the council....or some such deal, they hardly thanked him for "taking an interest" time will tell I suppose...............don't begrudge the FAI support if it helped get another ground up to standard

[Real ale Madrid]

The priority is to get a new pitch in place for the start of the 2017 season.


Will it be grass or another version of Astroturf do you think? Highly unlikely that a grass pitch will be up and ready by February / March - too late to seed anyway - probably be able to lay a turf pitch after christmas but you would want the weather to go your way.

[White Horse]

Will it be grass or another version of Astroturf do you think? Highly unlikely that a grass pitch will be up and ready by February / March - too late to seed anyway - probably be able to lay a turf pitch after christmas but you would want the weather to go your way.

Honestly don't know, but I would think it is more likely to be grass. That is what the manager and the players want.

[oriel]

I'd say the hardest part will be ripping up the current pitch (good riddance) and the underlay. Clubs in England roll out grass pitches, but its a very expensive option. If it is to be grass, I'd say it can be done in time for March, if the first game is away from home.

Brilliant news though for us, hard to take it all in really after all these years having to put up with that dreadful pitch and for fans both home and away having to put up with such poor facilities. Priority has to be the pitch, then improve the basic things, spectator improvements may have to wait, but it looks like a major ground re-development is under way over the next few years.

[brendy_éire]

Latest from Brandywell -

Original plans:
http://www.ostickandwilliams.com/databasethumbs/prd_5_5775371__1616_view02a.jpg

Today's plans, according to the Derry News:
https://s11.postimg.org/yi6qx38hb/Cxe_Eh1p_XEAAto_M.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/yi6qx38hb/)

No information from club or council.

"Farewell" match organised for this Sunday with past players. With the amount of anger about today, not sure that's the best idea.

[White Horse]

That is quite a difference.

[Yossarian]

Is that the plan for an initial stand with the rest to be completed in stages or is it a final plan? It would be very disappointing if that will be the final plans.

[ger121]

Is it very small or is it far away?

[nigel-harps1954]

They'll still get 1,300 seats out of that. Hardly need an awful lot more than a 4,200 capacity currently?

[oriel]

I think its looking increasingly likely that Dundalk will be going with a hybrid pitch for 2017, a feasibility study report will be available on Friday. The club will probably make a decision soon after that on what type of pitch to install. In an interview yesterday they mentioned Richard Hayden, as the consultants, I think he is from www.dessosports.com/hybrid-grass

[dundalkfc10]

Latest from Brandywell -

Original plans:
http://www.ostickandwilliams.com/databasethumbs/prd_5_5775371__1616_view02a.jpg

Today's plans, according to the Derry News:
https://s11.postimg.org/yi6qx38hb/Cxe_Eh1p_XEAAto_M.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/yi6qx38hb/)

No information from club or council.

"Farewell" match organised for this Sunday with past players. With the amount of anger about today, not sure that's the best idea.

Which side will the stone throwers come from after the game?

[ForzaHoop]

that's Disappointing for Derry but that is phase 1 of the stand I am presuming
Its still better than what is happening with Harps

[Yossarian]

I think its looking increasingly likely that Dundalk will be going with a hybrid pitch for 2017, a feasibility study report will be available on Friday. The club will probably make a decision soon after that on what type of pitch to install. In an interview yesterday they mentioned Richard Hayden, as the consultants, I think he is from www.dessosports.com/hybrid-grass

Nobody has actually said we will be returning to a grass pitch, hybrid or not. With the timescale involved I think there is a strong possibility that we will just replace the current surface with a higher spec artificial pitch.

[brendy_éire]

They'll still get 1,300 seats out of that. Hardly need an awful lot more than a 4,200 capacity currently?

Will be an extra 400 seats, apparently. It's basically all guess work at present, since we're being kept in the dark.

[nigel-harps1954]

Will be an extra 400 seats, apparently. It's basically all guess work at present, since we're being kept in the dark.

I've heard different figures all over the place. If you go by the illustration and the planning drawings however, it's 1,300 seats

[Kingdom]

Most non-astro pitches are some form of hybrid these days aren't they? I mean there is some form of weave/stitching done as standard now. Horticulture technology has come on so far it's incredible.