Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

**joey B** · 04/03/2024, 12:11 PM

Drogheda acquired the ownership of Weavers Park from the FAI.

https://droghedaunited.ie/drogheda-u...-weavers-park/

**Partizan** · 04/03/2024, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by joey B

Drogheda acquired the ownership of Weavers Park from the FAI.

https://droghedaunited.ie/drogheda-u...-weavers-park/

What does this mean? Will Drogheda develop the ground or sell up and move to another site in order to develop it?

**oriel** · 04/03/2024, 12:57 PM

This is good news for them, means they can look to sell the ground and use the funds towards a new build elsewhere, however would imagine there is a clause that any sale needs a new stadium to be ready first or at least well into building phase.

I recall that was the stickling block in the mid 00's when they had investors in that time, Lourdes Hospital across the road are probably already eyeing it up, would make perfect sense.

Mind you, is there any risk here I wonder, the deal was financed by Trivela Group, who fully own Drogs, what's stopping them taking the money, probably back to the clause then that a new ground has to be built first, hopefully for Drogs that is the case.

**Partizan** · 04/03/2024, 1:01 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

This is good news for them, means they can look to sell the ground and use the funds towards a new build elsewhere, however would imagine there is a clause that any sale needs a new stadium to be ready first or at least well into building phase.

I recall that was the stickling block in the mid 00's when they had investors in that time, Lourdes Hospital across the road are probably already eyeing it up, would make perfect sense.

Mind you, is there any risk here I wonder, the deal was financed by Trivela Group, who fully own Drogs, what's stopping them taking the money, probably back to the clause then that a new ground has to be built first, hopefully for Drogs that is the case.

I'd say United Park is worth a few bob. They could do well to move beside the train station and develop from there. They can now draw up solid plans, fundraise and apply to draw down funds from the government.

**joey B** · 04/03/2024, 1:36 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

This is good news for them, means they can look to sell the ground and use the funds towards a new build elsewhere, however would imagine there is a clause that any sale needs a new stadium to be ready first or at least well into building phase.
.

*shudders in Finn Harps!

**D24Saint** · 04/03/2024, 1:38 PM

Originally Posted by Partizan

I'd say United Park is worth a few bob. They could do well to move beside the train station and develop from there. They can now draw up solid plans, fundraise and apply to draw down funds from the government.

What kind of money you reckon ? New build would be what 30-35 million ?

**brendy_éire** · 04/03/2024, 4:14 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

This is good news for them, means they can look to sell the ground and use the funds towards a new build elsewhere, however would imagine there is a clause that any sale needs a new stadium to be ready first or at least well into building phase.

I recall that was the stickling block in the mid 00's when they had investors in that time, Lourdes Hospital across the road are probably already eyeing it up, would make perfect sense.

Mind you, is there any risk here I wonder, the deal was financed by Trivela Group, who fully own Drogs, what's stopping them taking the money, probably back to the clause then that a new ground has to be built first, hopefully for Drogs that is the case.

My first thought was that it could be a money-grab by Trivela. I know they said that they expect better value to be gained through long-term ownership and wanting to double their money, but a sale of the ground could turn a quick profit. They've spent about €1.5m so far, could they get €3 million for the site? Easy win.
Maybe there is a clause in the contract of sale though. Even the FAI should be able to get that right. Probably.

**Longfordian** · 04/03/2024, 7:33 PM

There was a buy back clause in the original deal to sell the ground to the FAI. I wouldn't say it's certain that there are additional protections regarding a new stadium. But hopefully there are.

**Nesta99** · 04/03/2024, 8:14 PM

The buy back clause was for the cost of the original sale circa 1991, a whopping IR£35k iirc. DUFC could have bought that back any number of times so why now is certainly a valid question. It suited Drogs that it was an FAI ground with the FAI responsible for maintaining it, and it would have been very LoI to not licence one of your own grounds. Its not being bought for redevelopment. The hospital did covet it and probably still do. LCC wont give permission to build high density housing in an areas that is already a log jam for traffic (ambulance access) basically 24/7. So that will limit value now compared to valuations mid 2000s. LCC dont do anything for nothing so the greenfield site they have provided has a connection to a sale of United Park. With a SPC it would be a great start, Althlone and Tallaght like with a single stand, but its not a massive game changer for them financially as club. The owners well who knows...The Lourdes Stadium is as good a spot as Morton for a homeless club.

**Martinho II** · 04/03/2024, 8:21 PM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

The buy back clause was for the cost of the original sale circa 1991, a whopping IR£35k iirc. DUFC could have bought that back any number of times so why now is certainly a valid question. It suited Drogs that it was an FAI ground with the FAI responsible for maintaining it, and it would have been very LoI to not licence one of your own grounds. Its not being bought for redevelopment. The hospital did covet it and probably still do. LCC wont give permission to build high density housing in an areas that is already a log jam for traffic (ambulance access) basically 24/7. So that will limit value now compared to valuations mid 2000s. LCC dont do anything for nothing so the greenfield site they have provided has a connection to a sale of United Park. With a SPC it would be a great start, Althlone and Tallaght like with a single stand, but its not a massive game changer for them financially as club. The owners well who knows...The Lourdes Stadium is as good a spot as Morton for a homeless club.

Speaking of the Lourdes Stadium how long are Drogheda gone from there and where in Drogheda is it?

**Nesta99** · 05/03/2024, 1:11 AM

https://www.lourdesstadium.com/

Hospital in th background on wesite main page so United Park kinda behind the hospital.

**EatYerGreens** · 05/03/2024, 3:43 PM

Originally Posted by brendy_éire

My first thought was that it could be a money-grab by Trivela. I know they said that they expect better value to be gained through long-term ownership and wanting to double their money, but a sale of the ground could turn a quick profit. They've spent about €1.5m so far, could they get €3 million for the site? Easy win.
Maybe there is a clause in the contract of sale though. Even the FAI should be able to get that right. Probably.

The simple solution is to ensure the council has zoned the stadium for recreation, and then that they only agree to change the use of it once an alternative site has been delivered to takenon that purpose/zoning. That would kill any speculative value on the asset, as it would be worth feck all if new owners had to maintain it as a park or stadium.

It may well already be zoned for that usage anyway.

**Buckett** · 06/03/2024, 8:42 PM

I know the new north stand in Tallaght is open, just wondering when the rest of the work will be finished?

**Nesta99** · 06/03/2024, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by Buckett

I know the new north stand in Tallaght is open, just wondering when the rest of the work will be finished?

Thats the sort of thing ye say to a GAA head about Croke Park and Hill 16 - reaction is always fun! What work is there to do on Tallaght now the 4th stand is done, tidying up after the work, under stand facilities or filling in the corners? Corners done and ts a real football stadium, until then meh!

**sbgawa** · 06/03/2024, 10:41 PM

Heated seats

**Buckett** · 06/03/2024, 10:42 PM

Weren't they going to add an extension to the building attached to the West Stand? Also, the offices, shops, etc. in the North Stand

**Nesta99** · 06/03/2024, 10:59 PM

Indirectly relevant - who knew that 4G field turf pitches could double up as car parks, wasted income stream! How this shower have an academy and a bit of a ground started, trumped only by Dundalk and Drogs doing nothing....
https://www.independent.ie/regionals...560714930.html

**2 Year Contract** · 07/03/2024, 9:16 AM

I see some terracing is being added either side of the seats in the riverside stand in Tolka

https://x.com/irish_grounds/status/1...996769038?s=46

**nr637** · 07/03/2024, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract

I see some terracing is being added either side of the seats in the riverside stand in Tolka

https://x.com/irish_grounds/status/1...996769038?s=46

The covered area of the Riverside stand has about a 2,500 capacity and is open to fans officially, since the seats were removed from the open sides either side of the covered area.
If this terracing is being added or upgraded either side, what will the capacity of this side be and the overall Tolka 'safe capacity' which has been reduced to around 4,500 since Shels were promoted.

**sbgawa** · 07/03/2024, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Buckett

Weren't they going to add an extension to the building attached to the West Stand? Also, the offices, shops, etc. in the North Stand

The club shop is moving imminently i think to the North stand as well as the club offices and there is also a couple (at least one anyway) of shop units (food i presume)
The West stand bar was back open last week and where the club shop used to be is being changed into areas that can be used for European matches to avoid the need for tents...
Im not 100% up on it all but that is my understanding