Markets Field Renovations??

[dutchie]

Dear Bluewhitearmy I don’t understand why you feel you have to personalise all your comments. “All of these people” as you call them are also fans of Limerick Soccer and as such are just as entitled to their opinion as you are to yours. I for one, am a realist and I understand how hard it is to raise a million euro from government in this day and age. I wrote an 1100 word list of valid points which you chose to ignore. The precedent is there for teams to move to bigger grounds for bigger matches Leinster rugby take their bigger matches to the Aviva and they too are licensees of the RDS. Why would anyone want the holding cost of seats that may only be filled once every couple of years at best? Not to talk of what it would do for the atmosphere in the ground. How do you know that the stands won’t cover all the seats? I presume that covered stands are just that. There are uncovered seats on front of the stands in Croke Park too. It is untrue that the club won’t be able to make money on match day. My understanding is that a license allows the club to maximise their revenue generation on the days they occupy the ground, that includes a bar if they wish (such as the Heineken bar at Munster matches) but the license will be the clubs responsibility as will all of the other costs and revenue streams. I am not privy to LEDP’s business plan for the ground but with their pedigree and track record I am sure that they are not completely dependent on Limerick FC for the ground revenues. Also bear in mind that LEDP are a charitable trust company and according to their website they are driven by community, education and business enhancement, they do not have to make money, simply to break even. And now that they have secured money from govt it simply means that they can do what they need to do without massive outlay and therein lies, I imagine, why they are not being extravagant in this phase. I hope this answers your questions of me …now would you reread my first post and address some of the points I made. Bear in mind that we are all on the same side here..only I see, in LEDP, an organisation that have taken on a project that no-one else, Limerick FC included, could or would touch and the way I see it the glass is half full not half empty and I genuinely feel this forum has not been fair to what LEDP have done even if the contributors have acknowledged JP’s role. At this stage I am done with my contributions here I have no wish to prolong an argument that is irrelevant anyway because no matter what you think or say you do not have control of what happens…my advice to you, though I doubt you will either appreciate or take it is to “pee out if the tent rather than peeing into it” and work with the owners rather than sniping at them. PS Charlie Darwin… I actually contacted LEDP and asked them about the bar and they made a very relevant point that if they carried out any commercial activity in the ground themselves that it made them liable for very substantial rates which would add to the holding cost of the ground substantially, they were most accommodating of any question that I asked them

Seems to be talking a bit of sense here,we have to be realistic.

[Jofspring]

Seems to be talking a bit of sense here,we have to be realistic.

I honestly think we are trying to be realistic and look "long term" for the club and not just be content now and cause problems further down the line. A lot of te problems the club have had in the past is because of short term out looks. It's only been in recent years the club has started looking to the long term future. I and most certainly don't think they should have just built the plans Pat O Sullivan had but there surely was a happy medium between both plans and not a complete scaling back to absolute basics.

[LFC Blue]

It's down to realism lads.we need a home and we need it quickly. Some of ye are very quick to say that we'll be charged rent similar to what is being charged for the use of thomond park when ye have actually nothing to back this up with. Admittedly I have no evidence to prove that it will be alot less but all logic would suggest that it will be.for godsake there's a fair bit of difference renting a state of the art 26000 capacity stadium off a massive business franchise like Munster rugby than renting the MF off a non for profit organisation. The reality is we don't have a big fan base and the design suggested will comfortably cater for Limerick FC. I for one am sick of looking at nice shiny empty seats so a compact reasonably full ground with an intimidating atmosphere for away teams and supporters will do me just fine even if I do have to forego my half time burger and warm pint of beer from a plastic glass which has made TP so attractive to a lot of ye.

[Jofspring]

It's down to realism lads.we need a home and we need it quickly. Some of ye are very quick to say that we'll be charged rent similar to what is being charged for the use of thomond park when ye have actually nothing to back this up with. Admittedly I have no evidence to prove that it will be alot less but all logic would suggest that it will be.for godsake there's a fair bit of difference renting a state of the art 26000 capacity stadium off a massive business franchise like Munster rugby than renting the MF off a non for profit organisation. The reality is we don't have a big fan base and the design suggested will comfortably cater for Limerick FC. I for one am sick of looking at nice shiny empty seats so a compact reasonably full ground with an intimidating atmosphere for away teams and supporters will do me just fine even if I do have to forego my half time burger and warm pint of beer from a plastic glass which has made TP so attractive to a lot of ye.

I was saying that above in a previous comment though that we need to hear the figures, we need to know what kind of savings will be made. The fans are being left too much in the dark which is causing this argument to ramble on and on.

[LFC Blue]

I was saying that above in a previous comment though that we need to hear the figures, we need to know what kind of savings will be made. The fans are being left too much in the dark which is causing this argument to ramble on and on.

There is surely some avenue open to the supporters club to get these kind of figures from the club and as you say this would help alleviate alot of speculation and uncertainty.

[thomas72]

Lads if any of ye can get into the markets field can ye take a few pics of the pitch and the work in general that's going on. I know there's a few who scale the wall ha.

[bluewhitearmy]

Dear Bluewhitearmy I don’t understand why you feel you have to personalise all your comments. “All of these people” as you call them are also fans of Limerick Soccer and as such are just as entitled to their opinion as you are to yours. I for one, am a realist and I understand how hard it is to raise a million euro from government in this day and age. I wrote an 1100 word list of valid points which you chose to ignore. The precedent is there for teams to move to bigger grounds for bigger matches Leinster rugby take their bigger matches to the Aviva and they too are licensees of the RDS. Why would anyone want the holding cost of seats that may only be filled once every couple of years at best? Not to talk of what it would do for the atmosphere in the ground. How do you know that the stands won’t cover all the seats? I presume that covered stands are just that. There are uncovered seats on front of the stands in Croke Park too. It is untrue that the club won’t be able to make money on match day. My understanding is that a license allows the club to maximise their revenue generation on the days they occupy the ground, that includes a bar if they wish (such as the Heineken bar at Munster matches) but the license will be the clubs responsibility as will all of the other costs and revenue streams. I am not privy to LEDP’s business plan for the ground but with their pedigree and track record I am sure that they are not completely dependent on Limerick FC for the ground revenues. Also bear in mind that LEDP are a charitable trust company and according to their website they are driven by community, education and business enhancement, they do not have to make money, simply to break even. And now that they have secured money from govt it simply means that they can do what they need to do without massive outlay and therein lies, I imagine, why they are not being extravagant in this phase. I hope this answers your questions of me …now would you reread my first post and address some of the points I made. Bear in mind that we are all on the same side here..only I see, in LEDP, an organisation that have taken on a project that no-one else, Limerick FC included, could or would touch and the way I see it the glass is half full not half empty and I genuinely feel this forum has not been fair to what LEDP have done even if the contributors have acknowledged JP’s role. At this stage I am done with my contributions here I have no wish to prolong an argument that is irrelevant anyway because no matter what you think or say you do not have control of what happens…my advice to you, though I doubt you will either appreciate or take it is to “pee out if the tent rather than peeing into it” and work with the owners rather than sniping at them. PS Charlie Darwin… I actually contacted LEDP and asked them about the bar and they made a very relevant point that if they carried out any commercial activity in the ground themselves that it made them liable for very substantial rates which would add to the holding cost of the ground substantially, they were most accommodating of any question that I asked them

Firstly and i don't mean this as some sort of personal attack but could you spread your comments out a bit its very hard to read. I did read your entire fist post and ill go back and answer that after i answer what you have asked in this one.

I don't believe that people that are more then happy to ignore the fact that moving to this ground could kill the club can be considered fans of Limerick if i'm honest. Everyone is entitled to an opinion obviously but id rather people make some points rather then just come on giving it the whole stop moaning its all great with no reasoning for it.

There is no comparison at all between us and Leinster, Leinster can afford to do it us having to move a bigger game to Thomond could potentially wipe out any profit we would make from the increased crowd. Also how can anywhere be considered "home" when you have to move for a bigger game?

If Limerick were successful and were challenging for a league would a home crowd of 3-3500 regularly that season be unrealistic? As for the atmosphere of the ground what will have 3 sides of the ground completely open do for atmosphere?

I know the stands don't cover the seats because i have seen the plans and i have asked the LEDP lads at the public meeting.

The club will not be able to make money from the sale of drink on match days unless there is a bar put in. It costs money to bring in portable bars you don't make money from it. I have no idea what you are talking about with regards the licence.

Yes the LEDP only need to break even but its not a tiny amount of money they need to break even on this project. Without trying to be disrespectful to them what have the LEDP actually done? JP McManus and the Government have put the money in. You say it was a project Limerick would not take on i'm fairly sure if JP and the government had offered to give Limerick that money and put them in charge of things in the way the LEDP have then they would have done it. I could be missing something that the LEDP have done like so i would like that bit explained.

There is no way at all i could work with the owners the owners don't seem to have worked with anyone. People seem to think that the problem some of us have is that the ground doesn't look pretty or something or that we wanted some state of the art ground. We didn't what we wanted was somewhere that would help to secure the future of the club after Pat O'Sullivan leaves we didn't get that. It would take a small few changes that would go a long way to ensure we still have a club in the long term is it not understandable that we would want that? All the talk was that the Markets Field was bought to secure the future of Limerick and give them a home this hasn't happened.

[Jofspring]

On the high rates for a bar in the ground I find that hard to believe purely because there is no way all the bars in clubhouses around limerick and the country are paying massive rates. If they were it wouldn't be feasible for any club to sustain a bar. Garryowen, Shannon, Young Munster, Janesboro, Pike, Fairview, are they all paying huge comercial rates?

[bluewhitearmy]

I googled it this morning and was directed to this forum (don’t know why it never came up before) and I actually joined the forum just to respond to the absurdity of some of the comments. Am I missing something here? A philanthropist buys the former home of Limerick soccer entrusts it to an organisation that has singlehandedly contributed more to the south side of Limerick city than any other organisation public or private (creating jobs in the process) according to their website, they pump massive amounts of money into putting in a brand new pitch, while keeping everyone informed of what is going on by weekly updates on their website (gives me a great link to home), they secure 1.1 m euro from government to redevelop the ground in the teeth of the deepest recession that has ever hit the country ( I know, I had to leave because of it) and they are vilified on this website because it is not what 10 or so contributors who are obviously not representative of the vast majority of Limerick people want. [/B]

I put it to you all that it is very easy to hide behind the anonymity that a forum gives and snipe and give out.

I even saw a negative comment about the grammar used on their website for God’s sake. If ever the curse of St Munchin was in evidence it is here. I note that one contributor even tells LEDP to make “the right decisions to ensure the ground is a success for themselves and Limerick” I’m sure that that astute comment will have them clamouring to employ you… I don’t know how they redeveloped Krups without you!!! As a follower of Limerick soccer since the last time they won the league (you don’t have to be a member of an organised club to follow soccer) I know that Limerick have had more homes and comebacks than Frank Sinatra, the junior club organisation don’t talk to the senior club organisation, the academy don’t talk to the clubs (they think they are poaching their players apparently) and if it weren’t for people like Hogan, Drew and O’ Sullivan (like them or not), senior soccer in Limerick would be as dead as Frank Sinatra.

But yet when JP McManus, LEDP and Government do something to develop a ground, you whine and complain that it will be the fourth best ground in Munster (about 10 times) and that there will be no bar (if there was you would probably complain about the price of the pint) and your toes might get wet because the stand roof is too short (you were obviously never on the popular side in 1980/81). I really think you all would object to Santa Claus if you had a chance. You had your chance to buy it and develop it yourselves, Limerick FC had a chance to buy it and develop it Pat O’ Sullivan even drew plans for something he didn’t own, the City and all the “interested” councillors had a chance to buy it and develop it, The VEC drew plans to buy it and develop it and guess what……you and they didn’t. The ultimate comment has to be “what a waste giving LEDP the ground” because of course if JP gave it to the supporters they could have redeveloped it faster and better with their vast knowledge of soccer grounds and unlimited resources!!!

You feel that you have a right to tell those that actually did do something what they are doing wrong. One poster even suggests that Limerick stay out of the ground for as long as possible to teach “them” a lesson. Thank God JP McManus had the sense not to hand over the ground to these “free thinkers” or the thistles would be growing back there in no time. For my money the new owners would be perfectly within their rights to tell you where to go (or maybe stay) and go and talk to the other sporting organisations that might have an interest, especially as you all reckon you’ll be dead by 2017 anyway (Rugby League, big in my new neck of the woods, Schoolboy Rugby, Hockey or even the college next door) and I hope that if they do read forums like this they will realise that these forums are not representative of the vast sway of public opinion that would love to see the Markets Field reopened in whatever phased way possible and are delighted that someone in Limerick has the breadth of imagination to do something positive and not just sit on the side-lines and wait for someone to come and ask their opinion and write a blank cheque. Is there is anyone in this group of supporters that can say anything positive about the biggest development for Limerick soccer ever? If there is can they please speak up and at least show the people that are leading the way (LEDP) in this project that there is some gratitude for trying to do the right thing.


Or maybe I am missing something and LEDP has in some way managed to scupper some plan for someone else to make something out of the ground because in my experience when a group of people can find nothing positive to say it is usually because they either are jealous of what others have, or have a bone to pick due to being undermined. From my reading of everything so far LEDP are giving Limerick FC a chance to make the Markets field home for their matches. They are lifting the financial burden of Thomond Park and giving them access to what appears will be the best playing surface in Munster. According to the Leader, Limerick FC have already decided that Bruff Convent is to be their home and in the same way that many of the premiership clubs in England train and administer their clubs at locations other than their match ground, Limerick now have an opportunity to have a home ground without the holding cost. From what I can see LEDP are doing this not out of any commercial prerogative but out of a wish to do the same as they did in the Southside of the city and try and give Limerick FC and the area around the Markets Field a bit of a lift. But perhaps Limerick soccer and their supporters don’t deserve this or find it hard not to flog a gift horse to death. I don’t have any knowledge of who LEDP are apart from those listed on the website. I see Keith Wood mentioned in posts (in a derogatory way as is common on this forum) and can only assume that he has some consultative role in the project because he is not listed on their executive or board but I do know what a loss Krups was and from what I can see that site now seems to be thriving again. I, for one, can’t wait to get back into the Markets Field…..now come and take a swipe at me!!!!!!

Now as you asked i will answer this.

I dont see what relevance what they have done on the southside has to the quality of the Markets Field plans? JP McManus has pumped massive money into the pitch and everyone has been massively grateful for his role in the Markets Field. Where have they been vilified? People have said the plans are not good enough that is not vilifying the LEDP.

I will gladly tell you my name if you would like? Although myself and a few other of the posters on here that i know have already spoke of our problems with the ground in public. There is no-one here to "hide" this is just the best place available to discuss Limerick FC. Also why not give your own name then if you are against people hiding.

A lot of what you have said in this post has nothing at all to do with what is being discussed the bits in bold for example. If they have anything to do with the Markets Field and i have missed it please explain how? Some of the bits in bold are just nonsense though.

I think one person said it would be the fourth best ground. I also think that it is a valid point and id like to know your reasoning behind thinking it is not valid. Again in this part you show you don't really understand what the issues people have are. Bit more nonsense about Santa thrown in too. When did the VEC have plans to buy it and develop it have you a link to this? More nonsense about JP handing it to the supporters.

People have every right to point out things that are not good enough. You say you are a fan of Limerick soccer but then say [COLOR=#333333]the bit in bold there so you are not a fan of Limerick FC i take it? Some of the options you go on to give that could use the ground then are laughable. The wider Limerick public will see it as a great thing because the wider Limerick public do not know or care about Limerick FCs long term future. You say it is the biggest development ever in Limerick soccer surely then thats all the more reason it should be done right?

People are not being negative for the sake of being negative they are pointing out things they feel should be changed. The best playing surface in Munster is some kind of joke yes? Lifting the financial burden of Thomond? Its not free to use the Markets Field you know. You keep talking as is if this was some big plan about the LEDP and it was all their idea it wasn't JP McManus bought the ground and gave it to them along with the money to develop it. Please explain to me what the LEDP has done other then spend JPs money?

Again you say Limerick soccer and "their" supporters i thought you were a supporter of Limerick soccer? You say you have no knowledge of who the LEDP are i'm going to be honest here i don't believe you. Now you said i ignored the points you made in this comment i didn't i read it the first time but any point you have made had already been answered and an awful lot of this post is complete nonsense. [/COLOR]

[ever37]

Had a look at the plans and they're pure crap, plain and simple. It doesn't matter who this ground is intended for, they're not good enough for a 'stadium' that, according to the LEDP website, will be the jewel in the crown of the inner cities sporting facilities.
Two steps of uncovered terrace at one side of the ground, a couple of steps at the town end about half a mile away from the pitch, please get real.
Who else is going to use this ground? If the LEDP is so community orientated why is the local team only allowed to use it 20 odd times a year? Why can't the ladies and the U19 teams play there?
Is the rent that Limerick FC pay for the use, going to be used for the cost of opening the ground on the days schools rugby or rugby league is to be played there?
The facilities at the AIL grounds that the schools rugby use is as good as what is planned for this ground, with the added advantage of being able to park inside the ground, so why would they bother moving games to the markets?
I think the point of the comment about the 4th best stadium in munster is the fact that they're constructing a NEW facility that won't be up to the standard of grounds that were built/renovated donkeys years ago. Jesus where's the ambition, instead of like everything else in this town " ah shur that'll do 'em" attitude. If we keep telling everyone its the jewel in the crown enough times maybe they'll start to believe it after a while.

Quick question, Does anyone know if they're replacing the roof on the exixting stand with a roof that covers both the renovated stand and the newly constructed stand beside it, or will each stand have its own separate roof? I can't tell from the plans.

[gael353]

LFC Blue At the end of the day lads beggars cant's be choosers and beggars is exactly what we are.
In comparison to the politically backed and milionaire backed LEDP maybe but we aint beggers

LFC Blue It takes serious money to lay a playing surface and get the MF capable of catering for Premier division football even at the admittedly small scale developments proposed. People need to get real and accept that a ground with a 3k capacity is plenty big enough for Limerick FC.

It takes a fair bit of money all right but if your a professional ambitious club this is the minimum required. 3k capacity with 2/3 in the cold and ****ing rain is not adequate for any fans let alone Limerick FC. Any success, ambition to succeed and this capacity is null and void.

LFC Blue In an ideal world a bar would be a good money making project but how feasible would it be lads?
Look nothing against you but your not too well up on the running of a club and where revenue generates from. The so called ideal world exists in most LOI grounds, rugby clubs, rowing, tennis, cricket, GAA and more. And i think what a lot of ppl were saying on here is that it was a members bar not a general pub that they were looking for

LFC Blue What would the turnover be. how profitable would it be etc...All the naysayers on here are great to spout on about the LEDP charging Limerick FC rent on the MF. Realistically how can the LEDP look for anything other that a token gesture. Do ye think JP and the LEDP got in to this to make money out the money spinning franchise that is Limerick senior soccer??? Ye are all great to shoot people down for not agreeing with yer negativity towards the MF but none of ye has offered even one ALTERNATIVE to the MF move?????

Again your lack of knowledge about how a football club runs and finances itself stands out. At present as has been pointed out to you by many on several occasions the alternative is going to be Thomond park for the foreseeable future. The alternative the fans are looking at is a good stadium, well planned and designed MF or a sh..it field...MF plan at present.

LFC Blue It's down to realism lads.we need a home and we need it quickly. Some of ye are very quick to say that we'll be charged rent similar to what is being charged for the use of thomond park when ye have actually nothing to back this up with. Admittedly I have no evidence to prove that it will be alot less but all logic would suggest that it will be

Lack of knowledge does not equal realism and you need to take that on board pronto. As you say you have no evidence on anything you say and thats where ppl like me come in, someone with a little more knowledge then you. I dont know everything but i know a fair bit more then you and you should refrain from making spoof general statements waffling along talking rubbish.

LFCBlue for godsake there's a fair bit of difference renting a state of the art 26000 capacity stadium off a massive business franchise like Munster rugby than renting the MF off a non for profit organization. The reality is we don't have a big fan base and the design suggested will comfortably cater for Limerick FC.

Again knowledge is king, you are correct to assume that the renting of a 26,000 capacity stadium costs more and then a field with 2/3 of it out in the open, with no bar and no shops. The big fan base amuses me, what is an acceptable fan base to you? The design planned by the ledp is maybe going to get a first division licence. It is unsuitable to all premier clubs with ambition and fact.

LFC Blue I for one am sick of looking at nice shiny empty seats so a compact reasonably full ground with an intimidating atmosphere for away teams and supporters will do me just fine even if I do have to forego my half time burger and warm pint of beer from a plastic glass which has made TP so attractive to a lot of ye.

I dont hate Thomond park, as a structure it would fail to get a eufa game, as the stands are too steep and lets face it they ran out of money and it is unfinished (the two end terraces) The intimidating atmosphere thing is baffling me. As redron states everyone should look at the plans. The pitch is quite big, and the gaps from stands to pitch are far far away. Think wexfords Ferrycarrig park. When/if we are in MF i shall buy you a pint, and a burger from two expensive Deageo trucks which will have to come from the UK every second week for our games at a cost to the club so that will require a substantial cheque.

[LFC Blue]

LFC Blue At the end of the day lads beggars cant's be choosers and beggars is exactly what we are.
In comparison to the politically backed and milionaire backed LEDP maybe but we aint beggers

LFC Blue It takes serious money to lay a playing surface and get the MF capable of catering for Premier division football even at the admittedly small scale developments proposed. People need to get real and accept that a ground with a 3k capacity is plenty big enough for Limerick FC.

It takes a fair bit of money all right but if your a professional ambitious club this is the minimum required. 3k capacity with 2/3 in the cold and ****ing rain is not adequate for any fans let alone Limerick FC. Any success, ambition to succeed and this capacity is null and void.

LFC Blue In an ideal world a bar would be a good money making project but how feasible would it be lads?
Look nothing against you but your not too well up on the running of a club and where revenue generates from. The so called ideal world exists in most LOI grounds, rugby clubs, rowing, tennis, cricket, GAA and more. And i think what a lot of ppl were saying on here is that it was a members bar not a general pub that they were looking for

LFC Blue What would the turnover be. how profitable would it be etc...All the naysayers on here are great to spout on about the LEDP charging Limerick FC rent on the MF. Realistically how can the LEDP look for anything other that a token gesture. Do ye think JP and the LEDP got in to this to make money out the money spinning franchise that is Limerick senior soccer??? Ye are all great to shoot people down for not agreeing with yer negativity towards the MF but none of ye has offered even one ALTERNATIVE to the MF move?????

Again your lack of knowledge about how a football club runs and finances itself stands out. At present as has been pointed out to you by many on several occasions the alternative is going to be Thomond park for the foreseeable future. The alternative the fans are looking at is a good stadium, well planned and designed MF or a sh..it field...MF plan at present.

LFC Blue It's down to realism lads.we need a home and we need it quickly. Some of ye are very quick to say that we'll be charged rent similar to what is being charged for the use of thomond park when ye have actually nothing to back this up with. Admittedly I have no evidence to prove that it will be alot less but all logic would suggest that it will be

Lack of knowledge does not equal realism and you need to take that on board pronto. As you say you have no evidence on anything you say and thats where ppl like me come in, someone with a little more knowledge then you. I dont know everything but i know a fair bit more then you and you should refrain from making spoof general statements waffling along talking rubbish.

LFCBlue for godsake there's a fair bit of difference renting a state of the art 26000 capacity stadium off a massive business franchise like Munster rugby than renting the MF off a non for profit organization. The reality is we don't have a big fan base and the design suggested will comfortably cater for Limerick FC.

Again knowledge is king, you are correct to assume that the renting of a 26,000 capacity stadium costs more and then a field with 2/3 of it out in the open, with no bar and no shops. The big fan base amuses me, what is an acceptable fan base to you? The design planned by the ledp is maybe going to get a first division licence. It is unsuitable to all premier clubs with ambition and fact.

LFC Blue I for one am sick of looking at nice shiny empty seats so a compact reasonably full ground with an intimidating atmosphere for away teams and supporters will do me just fine even if I do have to forego my half time burger and warm pint of beer from a plastic glass which has made TP so attractive to a lot of ye.

I dont hate Thomond park, as a structure it would fail to get a eufa game, as the stands are too steep and lets face it they ran out of money and it is unfinished (the two end terraces) The intimidating atmosphere thing is baffling me. As redron states everyone should look at the plans. The pitch is quite big, and the gaps from stands to pitch are far far away. Think wexfords Ferrycarrig park. When/if we are in MF i shall buy you a pint, and a burger from two expensive Deageo trucks which will have to come from the UK every second week for our games at a cost to the club so that will require a substantial cheque.

So what is it your trying to say here Gael???

[bluewhitearmy]

Had a look at the plans and they're pure crap, plain and simple. It doesn't matter who this ground is intended for, they're not good enough for a 'stadium' that, according to the LEDP website, will be the jewel in the crown of the inner cities sporting facilities.
Two steps of uncovered terrace at one side of the ground, a couple of steps at the town end about half a mile away from the pitch, please get real.
Who else is going to use this ground? If the LEDP is so community orientated why is the local team only allowed to use it 20 odd times a year? Why can't the ladies and the U19 teams play there?
Is the rent that Limerick FC pay for the use, going to be used for the cost of opening the ground on the days schools rugby or rugby league is to be played there?
The facilities at the AIL grounds that the schools rugby use is as good as what is planned for this ground, with the added advantage of being able to park inside the ground, so why would they bother moving games to the markets?
I think the point of the comment about the 4th best stadium in munster is the fact that they're constructing a NEW facility that won't be up to the standard of grounds that were built/renovated donkeys years ago. Jesus where's the ambition, instead of like everything else in this town " ah shur that'll do 'em" attitude. If we keep telling everyone its the jewel in the crown enough times maybe they'll start to believe it after a while.

Quick question, Does anyone know if they're replacing the roof on the exixting stand with a roof that covers both the renovated stand and the newly constructed stand beside it, or will each stand have its own separate roof? I can't tell from the plans.

They will be seperate and the roof on the small stand will not cover the first few rows of seats unless changes are made to it.

[ever37]

Its worse its sounding, two stands side by side with different roofs of different sizes. I understand that a lot of money will go towards the floodlights and dressing rooms, new toilets etc. but why don't they make sure one side of the ground resembles what a modern ground looks like, instead of doing a bit of a stand here, half a terrace there,then at a later date they can tackle other sides of the ground if more funds become available. How much more money is needed to pour a few more concrete steps on the far side and cover them? Then at least then the structure is in place to maybe seat the area at a later date.
Why are they wasting money constructing a few steps of terrace behind the goals about 50m from the pitch. Nobody is ever going to stand there, nobody.
Apart from the regular core group of supporters I can't see this ground enticing anyone to come up & watch any sort of a game. It just sounds like a more concreted version of jackman park with only the supporters further away from the pitch. Disappointing.

[leather]

I can only speak on behalf of my junior club and we pay both commercial and water rates. we also have vat, paye,prsi & usc to pay..

[bluewhitearmy]

Its worse its sounding, two stands side by side with different roofs of different sizes. I understand that a lot of money will go towards the floodlights and dressing rooms, new toilets etc. but why don't they make sure one side of the ground resembles what a modern ground looks like, instead of doing a bit of a stand here, half a terrace there,then at a later date they can tackle other sides of the ground if more funds become available. How much more money is needed to pour a few more concrete steps on the far side and cover them? Then at least then the structure is in place to maybe seat the area at a later date.
Why are they wasting money constructing a few steps of terrace behind the goals about 50m from the pitch. Nobody is ever going to stand there, nobody.
Apart from the regular core group of supporters I can't see this ground enticing anyone to come up & watch any sort of a game. It just sounds like a more concreted version of jackman park with only the supporters further away from the pitch. Disappointing.

Like Gael has pointed out one phase of Pat O Sullivans plans for the ground had 3500 seats and cost 1.5 mil. The LEDP are spending the same amount of money for 1500 and a load of ridiculous uncovered terracing.

[bluewhitearmy]

I can only speak on behalf of my junior club and we pay both commercial and water rates. we also have vat, paye,prsi & usc to pay..

The supporters suggestion was that Limerick pay a key figure that would mean LEDP wouldn't pay the rates but that Limerick would take the profits.That was refused straight away by the LEDP Also are ye a members bar?

[Jofspring]

I can only speak on behalf of my junior club and we pay both commercial and water rates. we also have vat, paye,prsi & usc to pay..

Are they extortionate leather out of interest? Number I've heard is 35,000 just for rates but that seems excessive for a bar that would only open approx 20 times a year and maybe a few more times for private functions.

[bluewhitearmy]

..now come and take a swipe at me!!!!!!

This didn't last very long did it.

[redron]

Regarding the level of rent Limerick FC should expect to pay, representatives of the LEDP said at their public meeting that the running of the stadium would be on a self-sustaining model. In other words, while they would raise the funds required for the initial redevelopment, once everything is in place the stadium will have to pay for itself.

So, given that Limerick FC will probably be the only users of the stadium during its first year, it would seem that the club would have to cover the entire running costs of the stadium for that period.
As other organisations gain access to the stadium, presumably there would be a recalculation of each organisation's share of the overall running costs on a proportional basis.
However, if the redevelopment is finished before the end of the summer, you could see the above scenario reversed. (Schools rugby might be played there before Limerick FC move in, as presumably if an agreement is made to play at Thomond Park for the 2014 season then the team will play there for the entire season.)

How will the venue be managed? Will there be a full time permanent position created for a Stadium Manager?