Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

**David BOHie** · 25/04/2015, 4:48 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

In Ireland you have to double that.

2mil for 2,000 seats?

**Nesta99** · 25/04/2015, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

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** · 30/04/2015, 3:04 PM

image.jpg
The Markets Field dressing rooms beginning to take shape.

**osarusan** · 30/04/2015, 3:17 PM

A-Bomb proof, as ordered.

**GalwayFrancis** · 04/05/2015, 12:24 PM

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** · 04/05/2015, 3:51 PM

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** · 04/05/2015, 8:31 PM

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** · 05/05/2015, 4:22 PM

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** · 05/05/2015, 4:39 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

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** · 05/05/2015, 4:56 PM

Originally Posted by gufcfan

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** · 05/05/2015, 5:17 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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

**oriel** · 05/05/2015, 6:56 PM

Originally Posted by gufcfan

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** · 05/05/2015, 8:19 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

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** · 05/05/2015, 8:58 PM

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

**nigel-harps1954** · 07/05/2015, 8:02 PM

Update on the Markets Field on Facebook today.

Originally Posted by Markets Field

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

Originally Posted by Markets Field

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** · 07/05/2015, 8:36 PM

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** · 07/05/2015, 9:16 PM

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

**nigel-harps1954** · 07/05/2015, 9:24 PM

Originally Posted by Yossarian

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.

Originally Posted by Markets Field

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