What was supposed to happen in phase 2 of The Brandywell redevelopment? I can't find any plans anywhere.
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What was supposed to happen in phase 2 of The Brandywell redevelopment? I can't find any plans anywhere.
That big new stand on one side of the ground is so small because they only built the middle section of it. It's supposed to have the same size again added on each side to complete it, with corporate boxes etc at the top. And proper toilets underneath, as all they have there at the moment are temporary ones inside container units.Quote:
Originally Posted by punkrocket
It would look great once completed, but the LOI has a habit of stadium plans never getting to their final stage. It's also rumoured that the foundations for the 2 wings on either side of the existing stand weren't put in when the rest was built - which if true would suggest either short-sightedness, ridiculous penny-pinching, or a lack of faith that the rest would ever get done.
Thanks for that DCWA.Quote:
Originally Posted by DCWA
I would actually be more optimistic that this Sub-Regional funding will emerge reasonably soon (that's "reasonable" in Stormont terms, btw ;)), since afaik the money was ring-fenced.
The suspension of Stormont obviously didn't help and 5 years after the funding was first announced, they can't really just dust off the old plans and work to them as if nothing had happened in the meantime.
But they do appear to be looking seriously at it again, so maybe the Brandywell will get the next tranche sooner than you fear?
And without looking to score political points, the fact that Nichola Mallon (SDLP) is Infrastructure Minister may help, since she/her party might be expected to hope to gain credit in Derry by spending money there.
Fair do's, you got me there, Chief! :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Except that it's not really dependant upon the LOI.Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
The money is there at Stormont - it's just a case of getting the folks on the hill to release it.
Them Derry wans dealing in rumours?Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
No way, that's impossible! :cool:
I know it's not dependent upon the LOI. No stadium funding is, as it has no money :D. It's just that there is a habit of stadium projects not being completed in the LOI (regardless of why).Quote:
Originally Posted by EalingGreen
Derry's problem will be that Irish League club Institute are also looking for a new stadium in the city and have been homeless for a few years now. Plus as anyone who's been up there can attest, the Brandywell works fine as it is now for Derry City's needs. So if money is tight and/or there are a lot of mouths that need to be fed from it, I would question the Brandywell's chances personally. It may need a political decision to get it over the line - but isn't that what got the whole northern stadium funding into delays and trouble a few years back?
Hopefully there is a lot of movement on stadiums up north. Enough that it annoys clubs down here into serious lobbying. Interesting that Larne, Ballymena and Carrick Rangers joined forces and formed a lobbying group.
Simple reason for this with NI clubs getting bigger grants, even though GAA is the biggest sport in NI, for their obvious split community there, the 'soccer' crowd get decent grants to keep the other side happy.
You say "regardless of why", yet you correctly identify the "why" yourself - neither the FAI, LOI nor individual clubs can persuade the Irish govt or local councils to make proper funding available.Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
Yet DCFC have already proved they can be the exception to the rule by getting funding (from the Council?) for Phase 1 of the redevelopment of the B'well.
Meanwhile, overall funding for NI regional stadia is already there, and Ministers like to be seen to be giving out money, since it makes them popular with the voters. Now I can accept that Stormont's record in getting properly organised on this front is p iss-poor, but the IFA (and others) now appear to be lobbying hard, and since it's not new money they're seeking, they must have a good case.
For example, the IFA got in early in claiming Covid money from Stormont; it was announced the other day that the IFA itself would get £1.7m, whilst 77 clubs and leagues within NI would share a further £4.8m.
And there is more to come later in the month (though other sports will likely get the lion's share of the next tranche):
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/s...-40165460.html
Stute's case is separate from DCFC's, and will be treated accordingly.Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
Meanwhile, the fact that they're sharing the B'well will, if anything, make it more likely that stadium funding will be released, not less.
And in this particular case, the SDLP's Mallon will want to give SF "a poke in the eye" by getting money to Derry, just the same as she gave the go-ahead the other day to the redevelopment of Casement Park, right in the heart of SF's West Belfast heartland.
If nothing else, if/when the Glens get their £10m released - and they're hinting about big plans lately - there will be no excuse for not giving DCFC their money.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56244512
It's a whole lot more nuamced than that, I can tell you.Quote:
Originally Posted by oriel
For one thing, the British Government pumped hundreds of millions into upgrading stadia in GB after Hillsborough (all-seater etc), yet neglected to do the same in NI, even despite enforcing much stricter H&S rules.
Eventually they were persuaded that local sports facilities in NI were barely 3rd World, so redirected some proper money our way. Their initial hope was a shared stadium at The Maze, costing over £100m, but when it finally dawned on them that the figures simply didn't add up re future use and sustainability etc, they changed tack.
Consequently they gave £20m to Ulster Rugby to rebuild Ravenhill, £35m to the IFA to rebuild Windsor, with £62m due to the GAA for Casement.
Leaving aside the Casement debacle, there was also £36m earmarked for smaller ("sub-regional") football stadia, with c.£20m of it to be split between Glentoran and DCFC, and the rest divvied up amongst smaller projects.
(Think I have those figures correct)
Anyhow, I'd be confident that it is still a case of "when" rather than "whether".
I wonder how much it is envisaged that Larne's main stand would cost? My understanding is the church end stand will be done regardless of public funding but that this main stand is reliant on some form of grant.
https://www.jpeplanning.com/app/uplo...Elevations.pdf
Insofar as football has any "vote-buying power" in NI (not much, in truth), then I'd say East Antrim might be more receptive than most.Quote:
Originally Posted by bohsmug
They're helped by the fact that the local council already owns Ballymena's ground (and keep it pretty tidy, tbf), and also that Larne's new benefactor has pumped a lot of money into making Inver Park a good wee ground, along with big plans for the team (eg f-t football), while he is also looking to build a new hotel in the town:
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/b...-39279596.html
Drogheda have missed out on government funding for the Northern Port access route which was to be the trigger for 1000's of homes to be built and the new Drogheda stadium, something our chairman was talking about in a recent podcast. It's a real kick in the teeth for the town as government have turned a blind eye to Drogheda once again and another obstacle in the way for the stadium being built.
Interesting stuff, bm. :good:Quote:
Originally Posted by bohsmug
I'd say Larne's benefactor, Kenny Bruce, is very well clued-up on such things, what with his having made his own money in the property business. Meaning that as well as putting a lot of that money into Inver, he's likely confident of finding the rest of the money from somewhere.
Larne certainly did ok in getting a good share of the Covid money handed out the other day: £453k out of £4.8m handed out to 77 different clubs and leagues within NI:
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/s...-40165460.html
Re Larne, I've just found some more info (on the club website, funnily enough!)
Seems work on the new Church End stand started in December, so the funding must already be in place, as you say:
"The construction of the new 600-seat stand, is a project which has been supported by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, with the process to remove the old terracing having already got underway.
Once complete, the new complex will give the provision of 600 seats, including space for wheelchair users. The stand will also include toilet facilities, food servery, drugs and treatment rooms. It will also allow the club to satisfy the requirements of both domestic and UEFA licensing.
The work [on the Church End stand], being carried out by Whiteside Contracting Limited, represents Phase 7 of the redevelopment of Inver Park, which began two and half years ago... ... the construction team have set the target of having the work complete by Spring 2021.
The previous phases, which have all been completed at the stadium, are:
Replacement synthetic pitch
Erection of new state-of-the-art floodlighting
Improvement works to existing Landmark stand and terrace
Construction of McKay Stand
Construction of Camera Gantry
Refurbishment of Players Changing Rooms"
https://www.larnefc.com/construction...gets-underway/
As for a new Main Stand, it doesn't say exactly how/when, but they do say:
"Phase 8 will be the replacement of the current Landmark Main Stand, with the planning application having been lodged at the beginning of this week."
Progressive wee club.
P.S. Found some pics of the ground, incl. this one which shows what the new Church End Stand will be replacing:
https://footballgroundguide.com/wp-c...1579108707.jpg
More here: https://footballgroundguide.com/leag...ark-larne.html
Not directly about stadia but an interesting insight nonetheless. Yesterday funding was announced for urban regeneration in areas of the North-East, the vast majority of that money was allocated to projects in Monaghan and Cavan Towns and Dundalk. The sh1t storm it has kicked up in Drogheda is something to behold - not the Monaghan or Cavan projects but the Dundalk ones. Tbh I was quite surprised by the rabid reaction to funding for a Dundalk project on LMFM phone ins and whatever will appear in print media this week. Im finding it a bit on the amusing side tbh and Drogheda proposals weren't completely left out!
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/...tion-projects/
If there was as much effort put in to funding applications by counsellors than looking up the M1 to see what 'em ones are getting Drogheda would have its own airport by now!! Just imagine it was for a stand at Oriel Park...
With so many clubs looking for money from the same pot and given the green-orange nature of doling money out up there, I'd be surprised if Derry got funding for 2 separate stadiums.Quote:
Originally Posted by EalingGreen
That doesn't figure if, as you say, the two cases are separate. And also if Stute are applying for fundng specifically so they have somewhere else to no longer need to play at the Brandywell (non sequitur).Quote:
Originally Posted by EalingGreen
Nichola Malloon is the Transport Minister, so will have nothing to do with the stadium money. It'll be entirely down to the Sports Minister - who's Sinn Féin.Quote:
Originally Posted by EalingGreen
I hope Derry get the funding, as it would be an excellent stadium with that side done fully. I just don't have a lot of faith in the way things are done in NI. Especially when you'll have a lot of clubs and people claiming that Derry should get nothing as they 'don't even play in the North'.
Surely the next phase of the Brandywell should be behind the goals?
Makes sense to finish the other two-thirds of the big stand along the side of the pitch. Better views, proper toilets, corporate boxes, presumably a shop/food stall or two. None of those things would be going in a much smaller space behind the goals.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bucket
Though you'd hope they'd do behind the goals at some stage. The curved ends of the old stand won't help much on that though. Will need either partly rebuilding, or some weird ugly design top cope with keeping them (e..g pushing a new stand behind the goals further back so as not to be further forward than the curved ends).
Ya wouldn't need the seats in the curved stand to go all the way to the end, just as far as the corner flag. The end could be re-purposed as something,like a TV studio
The money was ring-fenced in 2015, long before Stute were flooded out, with a reported £10m to go to DCFC (to match the £10m going to the Glens).Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
My point was that so long as Stute are playing in the Brandywell, that only makes the case for funding more urgent.Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
As for the bigger picture, when the Sub-Regional money was first promised, Stute were never in the running, at least not for fundingh for a new ground.
Meaning any funding for a new ground will have to come from somewhere else - it's not affected by the S-R money, nor does it affect it.
Sorry, my mistake - I had thought this was now within her remit, after reading this:Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-54522088
Either way, SDLP or SF, both will be eager to shove money Derry's way.
It's fcuk-all to do with "a lot of clubs and people". The Stormont Executive has the money, and they will disburse it.Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
And with the way things work within the Executive, there is no way one lot (eg East Belfast) is going to get a big wedge of money without the other lot (Derry) getting the same.
As for "they don't even play in the North etc", the fact is, they pay rent/rates/VAT/taxes there, so there is no valid (or even legal?) reason for depriving them of money which has been promised.
In any case, I have a feeling that technically at least, they may still be members of the IFA, just as eg Cardiff City are members of the FAW? DCFC Women certainly play in the NIWL.
So it is not lack of funds, politics or discrimination which is preventing DCFC from getting their due, it is just the usual incompetence and lethargy at Stormont.
Think the boundary for the greyhound track in The Brandywell is probably too close to one end for anything to go in there. It is a curious build, with the curved stand now that the track has gone. It's a nice ground though. The view used to be a problem for away fans but I find it grand now.
I don’t agree that the Brandywell as it stands is fit for Derry’s needs, call me ambitious but the capacity is capped at less than 4000. That is a low ceiling.
If the new stand was extended on the wings would you consider it alright then? Guessing that would put it at about 5,500.Quote:
Originally Posted by DCWA
Ambition is about the future though, not the here and now. The Brandywell doesn't sell out. Has only done once in recent years for the League Cup, but that could easily have gone to a different venue on the coin toss.Quote:
Originally Posted by DCWA
Agree that in the future it could well be too small. But it'll be chasing this funding up against clubs that don't even have a home at all (e.g. Institute, Ards) ones with pretty crappy grounds (e.g. Carrick Rangers) and ones with parts of their ground condemned/closed to the public (e.g. Cliftonville). You'd think that an objective analysis would put cases like those ahead of a recently refurbished ground which currently does the job fine and is never at full capacity.
Bohs and DCU have announced an 18 year partnership to locate Bohs training facilities on DCU campus. Work already completed on fitting out dressing rooms and joint application in with DCU for a capital grant for a third all weather pitch.
Looks like the Matt Doherty dividend and fees for Danny Grant, Warren O`Hora and some player we off loaded to a South County Dublin side, being put to good use.
Clubs having their own training base should be a minimum, going forward. Harps, for example, have been spending huge money each year on training facilities. Finally, this year, we're getting our own training ground, located next to the new stadium. A first step to moving across the other side of the river. Will be a huge saving to the club to get it up and running, with a lot of the initial cost offset by the new car draw being run by the club currently.
You can help support the club and buy some tickets..of course..
https://newyearnewcar.ie/
Would ye not use the money to finish the stadium instead of starting another project? I can just hear Harps fans in 14 years complaining that ye have been waiting 14 years for the training ground and 28 years for the stadium!
Building a stadium and fitting out a training pitch we have a lease on are two very different scales of funding.
This is a fantastic URL to have going forward each year something that has endless room for growth, for €20 a ticket could really be pushed across the country. People with no interest in football can be drawn in.Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954
That being said the draw not being to April takes wee bit off it, but great potential to build it into a New Years Eve/Day event people could be bought tickets as xmas gift in a card.
That was the plan, we planned to advertise widely on Facebook but despite months of process with them never got permission as they flagged it as gambling. Utterly infuriating interactions the whole way through.
It would be no bother if instead of a community football club we were a far right hate group looking to undermine democracy.
I watched Carrick Rangers play Glentoran on Friday Night, they're building a small terrace down the main stand side and looks like they've done some developments on the Bridge Side. The Terrace behind the goal is decent enough too. I wouldn't say its Crappy at all, there's worse in the IL.Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
Aside from what Mr A says, the money being used to develop the training ground presumably wouldn't have the builders at the new stadium for more than a couple of hours..Quote:
Originally Posted by Bucket
I just had a look at Google maps. Are ye moving into the place with the blue running track and small astros?
Whatever about stadiums, it's great to see clubs with big plans in place or in progress; Roadstone, Dundalks YDC, Bohs-SKB-DCU, Cork-FAI new training facility, Galway Utd's Mountain South plans. Anyone have updates on Cork or Galway's progress?
Dundalk seem to have an medium term arrangement with local junior club Quay Celtic (excellent grass pitch) for training for away games, while the grass pitch behind the carrick road goal has its 'seasonal challenges'. DFC used this for prep for most of the EL group games and they have been training most of this week there.
Always good to see junior clubs forge links with senior clubs, and I`m sure DFC will be only too happy to offer them the YDC for winter training / gym work etc.
By finally this year you mean sometime in 2035:p Joking on LoI's altered warping of time on projects aside, thats a great move by Bohs/DCU. I agree that there are some positive moves on youth development/training facilities. While i'm sure many were in the pipline I think such facilities are are even more important post Brexit - a silver lining if there is one in a sea change from the FAI's general shortsighted policy of sending our players to the UK to be developed. It is interesting to read about young Cathal Heffernan going training in Italy, it will be an exciting experience for him - while we should always aim to develop our own players with the potential financial benefit to our own clubs, if they are to go abroad let it be to Italy, Spain et all and not lower ranked English or Scottish club (maybe some some of the bigger clubs too).Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954
On the YDC at Oriel is a good facility for further development in is also a hindrance for any potential development of Oriel Park too with it so close to the pitch. Its a pity it is not further back so that even rotatig the pitch (again) would have been an option that would allow new builds while keeping the stand for behind a goal. If we were to splash the cash with a viw to ground development we need to be buying up parcels of land in the vicinity eg 'Joes Field' and Iarnrod Eireann land that they dont need since the closing to the Macardle Moore Brewery. Looking to get Hiney Park from Dundalk Grammar School should be a priority too. I'm sure some agreement with DGS for the use of their pitches in exchange for pitch maintenance for example.
While there are opportunities in the future for Dundalk/DkIT to consider also, similar to Bohs/DCU the old nugget of the new County Ground crops up again - across the road from DkIT, and ideally sited as a general regional sports campus with the stadium at its core (Ice Hockey rink, soccer dome and swimming pool already on site), 5min walk from the municipal sports centre with 3G pitches and an athletics track and velodrome proposed pending NGB support, a Boxing club, multi-surface game areas and tennis courts. With the amount of car parking space, decent hotel, access to RTE regional studios at DkIT, a sports science lab in the works (DkIT sports physiologists lecturers and students have done testing with the club) and established variations of sports science courses already there with scholarships, its such a waste of an opportunity and tax payer resources for it to be a single use facility. Its would have been in daily use by DkIT, LouthCoCo were on board with another plan so would have switched to this imo and it would have seen Dundalk have access to a ground in Dundalk for European games at least - Oriel could have served from LoI still to local junior land schoolboy leagues if wanting to keep some of the benefits of having yer own ground as there may not be bar facilities for example. (As an aside Louth GAA hurling, football, clubs and Dundalk RFC have all used for training Oriel in the past for nominal cost). Forgive the broken record on this but I find it hard that the broader scope and potential for what will be Louth's new ground was blocked by one local TD with a very very narrow agenda and how its allowed to happen - proactively obstructing other proposals that would have benefited som many more people. Louth barely break a couple of thousand at games including championship games never mind league Div 4 games and some county club finals have struggled to get over 1k with even plum finals with bigger clubs would be 3-4k in what will be an initial 14k capacity ground and with future expansion to 22k. Frustrating in its short sightedness. When Fitzpatrick was asked about Dundalk using the ground he 'promised' that as Louth GAA chairman he would ensure Dundalk FC would the use as needed - I dont know when he became a higher authority than GAA Congress and when that was said to him he scarpered and this when he was campaigning outside Oriel Park on a match night.....
(rant over;))
I hadnt heard that and its no harm to be more visible in the town and a few € in to a local junior club. Its very open though at Quay Celtic so I hope there is no secret set piece work being down and spies dispatched:D. I thought Hiney Park had drainage work done a number of years back before Gerry Matthews had to sell it and its at a higher point of the Flurry Glen in general. Although with the flooding that happens on the Ardee Rd I suppose any amount of drainage could be overwhelmed at times. I dont recall the Grammar pitches too get too heavy or flooding and they'd be much lower.Quote:
Originally Posted by oriel
(A quick question Oriel, did Dundalk FC draw another Dundalk club in the FAI Cup years ago do you recall or was it just a possibility with the Quay(?) qualifying one year, there were some very good local junior clubs 80s/90s).
Bank Rovers.
That's the Finn Valley Centre. Home of Finn Valley AC. We do train there from time to time but it's not available readily and does cost to use. Would be ideal, but our own will be right behind the new stadium, down the same road.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bucket
Thaks for that, didnt realise that it was so long ago as Id have guessed early to mid 90's at the earliest so feeling a bit old now lol. There may have been another junior club from the town that qualified for the cup as 1985 was about when I started following Dundalk and nagging my completely disinterested in sport parents to take me to gamesso I doubt I was that clued in to a possible cup derby then. (mention of Ashtown Villa still makes me wince!!) There's quite a few clubs like Bank Rovers that were traditionally good junior clubs in Dundalk that are now defunct.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dalymountrower