MarinersBlues wrote: Connacht would be best served moving the training pitch out of town, knocking the offices and clan stand and developing the side of the stadium that they have control over.
A decent 4,000-5,000 seater stand on the Clan side would solve most of the issues without relying on moving, at a minimum, two other sporting bodies who, at the very least, don't care about rugby.

I think that's what they should be thinking alright. The clubhouse was built in kind of a bizzarre place and is a bigger barrier to development than the dog track.
I wouldn't move the training facilities too far as having them onsite has previously been cited by players as an advantage, but if they could develop something on one of the pitches beside the Connacht Hotel and locate their gym and offices in the hotel building or a new building adjacent, they'd only be a short run to the Sportsground if they wanted to do an on-pitch session.
The existing gym building could be the new Clan Bar and everything else could be redeveloped.
If the dogs move in the future, there would be scope for further development.

Vision and strategy 2016-2020 can be viewed here:

www.connachtrugby.ie/about/vision-and-strategy/

Looks like we are attempting to make good on one of the tenets underpinning the 2016-2020 vision and strategy from a revenue generating point of view.

www.connachtrugby.ie/new-head-of-commerc...ointed/#ConnachtNews

[/quote]Well said, although not sure about your friends though. The place is not that bad.[/quote]

Sorry couldn't agree the place is terrible to watch rugby in this day and age, we are just used to it.
Any time you go to even the most modest modern stadium it knocks you back into reality, and you realise how poor the Sportsground facilities and viewing stands are

Siob wrote: The whole stadium discussion is pie in the sky really.

If we accept the position that Connacht are in and the things that are actually in their control then the conversation doesn't have to be pie in the sky

Siob wrote: Having another sport in there would reduce the cost of an empty big stadium like Thomond park now.

Connacht have another sport in there reducing the cost. Everyone seems hell bent on kicking them out and getting an other sporting body(or bodies) to bend to rugby's will.

Siob wrote: If it wasn't for rule 42 you could try to rent Pierce Stadium for really big matches, but I can't see that happening for a very long time.

Rule 42 is there.
We just need a suitable home for the team not a hodge podge of locations which dilute home advantage.
If you think the dog track has us far from the action now, Pearse Stadium would be far worse, not to mind the parking situation out there.
The Sportsground is where it's at, spiritually, historically, financially, socially and there is LOADS of potential there for Connacht Rugby.

New stands at the ends with tunnels underneath for the dogs. It'll add a bit of excitement to the racing. Who will be leading when they reappear? Where did my dog go? That sort of thing.

We'd never be able to use pearse as it has no floodlights

The whole stadium discussion is pie in the sky really. Having another sport in there would reduce the cost of an empty big stadium like Thomond park now. Does anyone other than the GAA actually own their stadium?

If it wasn't for rule 42 you could try to rent Pierce Stadium for really big matches, but I can't see that happening for a very long time.

Siob wrote: What if Galway Utd. joined Connacht in the sportsground and the dogs went to Terryland park? The corners of the current dog track are tighter than ideal as is, the current share isn't ideal for either.

How much control do you think Connacht can swing for match scheduling? The possibility of a share between two field sports would require a guarantee that matches wouldn't clash.

Soooo....

You have Galway Utd, who have a perfect stadium for their purposes as is, and the IGB, who have one of their most profitable stadia in the country in Galway, moving in order to satisfy Connacht Rugby.

It's pie in the sky stuff.

I have suggested on another forum that Connacht would be best served moving the training pitch out of town, knocking the offices and clan stand and developing the side of the stadium that they have control over.
A decent 4,000-5,000 seater stand on the Clan side would solve most of the issues without relying on moving, at a minimum, two other sporting bodies who, at the very least, don't care about rugby.

Over playing their hand and getting in over their head with the stadium would be a travesty.

Edit: BTW Galway Utd don't own Deacy Park.

What if Galway Utd. joined Connacht in the sportsground and the dogs went to Terryland park? The corners of the current dog track are tighter than ideal as is, the current share isn't ideal for either.

How much control do you think Connacht can swing for match scheduling? The possibility of a share between two field sports would require a guarantee that matches wouldn't clash.

MarinersBlues wrote:

Can't for the life of me understand buying out the dogs and leaving the track there.

Madness in my very humble opinion.

I can understand wanting to keep alternative revenue streams open and mitigating risk in what would be a pretty big investment.
Purely from a Galway point of view I would like to see as much things going on close to the city centre as possible.

I would argue that rather than getting closer to the pitch, elevating the viewpoints is more important.
If they had the outright lease then a more coherent joined up plan could be made for all around the Sportsground.

It would be great if they got it, but I think it's a looooong shot.

I completely understand and agree with your sentiment. But a dog track is a bit much. I haven't seen it done anywhere else for the obvious reason of why would you?

I think if the right venue is built and it is a modern fit for purpose stadium, with the supporting amenities, then it will be attractive for the occasional concert, or outdoor performance.

I would even be much happier seeing the dogs go, and do something with Galway United there and perhaps turn Terryland park into a joint training facility of some kind.

ideas, ideas, ideas!!!!

Can't for the life of me understand buying out the dogs and leaving the track there.

Madness in my very humble opinion.

I can understand wanting to keep alternative revenue streams open and mitigating risk in what would be a pretty big investment.
Purely from a Galway point of view I would like to see as much things going on close to the city centre as possible.

I would argue that rather than getting closer to the pitch, elevating the viewpoints is more important.
If they had the outright lease then a more coherent joined up plan could be made for all around the Sportsground.

It would be great if they got it, but I think it's a looooong shot.

Shiny isn't it!

Thank you for sharing the detail.

Can't for the life of me understand buying out the dogs and leaving the track there.

Madness in my very humble opinion.

Please someone give them the other three million if that is what is required to be rid of them.

It was great to see how a lot of the focus will be helping teams develop around the province.
The stadium talk was purposefully vague but understandably so. They must be doing some serious negotiations behind the scenes.

But honestly the main thing I took from the evening was my picture with the pro 12 trophy

Evil_g wrote:

chops123 wrote: In relation to the stadium a friend of mine is involved with the dogs, they want 8mil for their half of the lease, connacht have offered 5mil and will keep the track so the dogs can host a few nights there in the future to try get it cheaper

What would we do with the main stand then I wonder? Modify what's already there? Or level it and start again?

Destroy it. They could save a fortune on demolition costs by simply inviting Connacht fans to take turns on it with a sledgehammer.