Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

**oriel** · 22/11/2016, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Yossarian

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.

Although nothing has been confirmed, given the short window the club has, and having to provide training facilities for underage, with an additional u/15 side next season, I would think hybrid might be the recommendation.

I think the new pitch that Dalymount will have in their re-development will be hybrid, also what type of pitch have Derry planned?

**nr637** · 22/11/2016, 10:22 AM

Great news that Dundalk have sorted out their issues with the ground and resolved all of the long-standing legal problems surrounding the lease of Oriel Park.

A new playing surface will be in the first work to be implemented, followed by crowd access, toilet and other basic accessories like food outlets.

What work can be done with the structure in regards to further seating & terracing?

The main stand to be extended to take in one side possibly seating about 3,000.

Open covered terracing behind each goal areas for about 1,000/1,500.

Side opposite main stand to remain.

Are these the plans that are expected!

**El-Pietro** · 22/11/2016, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by oriel

Although nothing has been confirmed, given the short window the club has, and having to provide training facilities for underage, with an additional u/15 side next season, I would think hybrid might be the recommendation.

I think the new pitch that Dalymount will have in their re-development will be hybrid, also what type of pitch have Derry planned?

Under 15 doesn't start til August so shouldn't have any impact on development. The start of the other 3 teams seasons will be enough of a problem I'd imagine.

**redobit** · 22/11/2016, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by 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.

.

Believe it or not replacing an existing astro pitch isn't that difficult and is fairly quick. The infrastructure (pipes, drains, etc.) can take the longest part. Relaying the pitch is straightforward and can be played on soon after.
Grass pitches need time to bed in and are usually laid in the summer off-season. The LOI off season being in the winter doesn't make great conditions for laying grass pitches apparently. George Mullen (lays pitches all over the world and is a Sligo Rovers fan) has said something along those lines in the past.

**brendy_éire** · 22/11/2016, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

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

400 extra over the old Glentoran stand and seats on the Lone Moor side.
Apparently (there's that word again), there won't be any toilet facilities built into the smaller stand either.

**oriel** · 22/11/2016, 1:13 PM

Originally Posted by nr637

Great news that Dundalk have sorted out their issues with the ground and resolved all of the long-standing legal problems surrounding the lease of Oriel Park.

A new playing surface will be in the first work to be implemented, followed by crowd access, toilet and other basic accessories like food outlets.

What work can be done with the structure in regards to further seating & terracing?

The main stand to be extended to take in one side possibly seating about 3,000.

Open covered terracing behind each goal areas for about 1,000/1,500.

Side opposite main stand to remain.

Are these the plans that are expected!

Like everything else all upgrades will depend on a budget. The club may have a bit of cash but every side of Oriel Park will require upgrading and even if they are successful with getting grants, it will cost millions. I think the main stand will need modernised first, however any extension might be limited. The area on the town side should be ok as that's in front of a petrol station, the other side where the away end is has housing behind it, one of which is Des Casey's house!! I'd imagine any building there would block out sunlight.

There is a lot of space behind the town goal, a new stand there would look great. The shed side will also need upgrading at some point but the YDC is right behind that, any extension there will depend on how they want to make best use of that structure.

A UEFA cat 3 stadium has to have 4,500 seats and a cat 4 needs 8k seats, car parking is another list on the requirements but at least the YDC has an underground car park. Access to the ground might be another hurdle. Loads to consider but the most important thing was obviously getting the lease sorted and the council bill paid, its good to see the priority mentioned first was the pitch. At least there is an excellent chance that will be in the place for 2017.

**Yossarian** · 22/11/2016, 1:20 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

Although nothing has been confirmed, given the short window the club has, and having to provide training facilities for underage, with an additional u/15 side next season, I would think hybrid might be the recommendation.

If a grass pitch is going in the odds are it will be a hybrid, but these pitches still need time and the right conditions to grow and bed in. I think the question will be whether the pitch is grass or another artificial surface. The easiest option would be to upgrade the surface to a new artificial pitch.

**Candystripe** · 22/11/2016, 1:25 PM

Work is to start next Tuesday the 28th of November in the Brandywell. The new stand will seat 1,100.

It is expected to take 10 months to complete.

Fans are having a protest on Thursday at the council meeting.

**brendy_éire** · 22/11/2016, 2:15 PM

Council statement:

Council was very clear from the onset and throughout the design stages and ongoing consultation process with Derry City FC and all the stakeholders that the contract is for Phase 1 only of the project, which will include a new 1,100 seater stand, that will bring the existing seated capacity to approx 3500, a new pitch, new dog track and substantial improvement works across the stadium and perimeter walls. Phase II of the proposed works for the development of Stand is subject to funding and Council will be making applications to the Stadium Development Fund provided by the NI Executive, when it opens shortly. If successful it will will lead to the second phase of the stand project and a further contract to build the remainder of the stand, increasing the seating capacity to a total of approx 4700.

------------------------

To be clear, they weren't very clear.
Ground won't be able to host third round EL qualifiers now.

**Mr A** · 22/11/2016, 3:15 PM

1100 seats in a modern stand and the dog track gone is a massive leap forward for the Brandywell though. Can understand Derry fans being annoyed but this is still a lot of progress in one go.

**pateen** · 22/11/2016, 4:36 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

In fairness it sounds like Delaney did his bit this time round. Sounds like Mathews was a very difficult Bóllix to deal with.
What was he looking for origonally?

**gufcfan** · 22/11/2016, 4:53 PM

Originally Posted by pateen

In fairness it sounds like Delaney did his bit this time round. Sounds like Mathews was a very difficult Bóllix to deal with.
What was he looking for origonally?

It's hardly a surprise Delaney was up their holes with the international profile they achieved this year.

**Nesta99** · 22/11/2016, 5:16 PM

Before the European run this season the FAI were on board and assisting the club. Delaney was in direct contact with LCC. He may have called just to say hello. Their legal assistance was very important too. GM changes his mind from one minute to the next so was extremely difficult to deal with. People involved with the NI peace process gave up on mediating this mess. Right to the end GM didnt stick to agreements made even with regard to the announcement of the agreement and his interpretation of the tone of negotiations. But it is done now, at a cost, but we can move on now and have at minimum the pitch sorted for next season.

**Real ale Madrid** · 22/11/2016, 6:11 PM

Originally Posted by pateen

In fairness it sounds like Delaney did his bit this time round. Sounds like Mathews was a very difficult Bóllix to deal with.
What was he looking for origonally?

What exactly would Delaney have done himself do you think?