The main positive that I see from Pat Lam's comments are that if he has said this publicly, then I'd expect the discussions have already started within Connacht Rugby.

Unfortunately, their is no perfect solution.
Build outside Galway city, you lose passing trade.
Build on the docks, the cost will be huge (I imagine, I'm no civil engineer, nor an architect)
Redevelop the Sportsground, we need to get rid of the dogs.

The first thing they need to decide, is whether they're willing to relocate or not
Then we need to start considering the funding. If we can get the funds in place, then it's time to worry about the site.
If we can't get the funds, well then we're stuck in the Sportsground, and they need to work on the stadium incrementally.

All in all, it seems that Connacht Rugby agree with the fans, and accept that our facilities are just not up to scratch.
A work colleague was at the game on Saturday. Think it was his first Connacht game (he's been to plenty of Ireland rugby matches). He thought it was a great game, but he spent more time talking about the cold, and the toilets, than about the match. He was standing in the Bohermore terrace
That tells you all that you need to know. We just beat Munster, it was a nice sunny evening, and the atmosphere was rocking, and all he remembers is the cold and toilets

You need a team to have a fair population base for a stadium to be viable and as much as I think Connacht branch need to do more to include the other counties in the province Galway city at the moment is the only viable option for Connacht.

The docks also brings the weather well wind into question unless we get a bowl like stade des alpes.

And logistical issues for the rest of the province. Travel, parking, etc...

connemara man wrote: Galway city or county?

The reason I wanna stay in the sportsground is its easier for the Sligo Mayo Leitrim and Roscommon to get to than even the docks. Galway traffic is woeful at best!
The walk by factor is huge & the docks would be out of the way in a sense.

Both. By not even considering anything outside of Galway city, Connacht Rugby will be associating itself with Galway in the same way as Leinster is with D4.
I would agree with keeping it in Galway city but mainly because I work here. There is no harm scouting around for options. If for no other reason than to get the shits up the city council when they find out Connacht Rugby might be moving out.

Evil_g wrote: One of the Craggy Island lads suggested that it would be cheaper to build a dog track out in the docks.

Throwaway remark, who'd build and pay for it it also?
IGB is broke and relying on public money and selling off assets to stay afloat already.

Anyway attached is aerial shot of proposed New Dock which will include extensive reclamated land.
The Topaz Depot would be moving too I assume?

One of the Craggy Island lads suggested that it would be cheaper to build a dog track out in the docks.

Galway city or county?

The reason I wanna stay in the sportsground is its easier for the Sligo Mayo Leitrim and Roscommon to get to than even the docks. Galway traffic is woeful at best!
The walk by factor is huge & the docks would be out of the way in a sense.

josephdaly111 wrote: People have mentioned before that the site at the docks where the ice rink has been would be too small, and from looking on google maps it definitely would be. However, on looking a little further out at the docks I noticed there was quite a large amount of space (see the picture below). The area of land outlined on the picture is 13 acres so more than enough for a stadium. And it's just to the east of the proposed port redevelopment, so it could fit well into that plan as well! And most importantly, the distance to O'Connell's would only be slightly further!

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I presume the idea of not building the stadium in Galway is out of the question?

People have mentioned before that the site at the docks where the ice rink has been would be too small, and from looking on google maps it definitely would be. However, on looking a little further out at the docks I noticed there was quite a large amount of space (see the picture below). The area of land outlined on the picture is 13 acres so more than enough for a stadium. And it's just to the east of the proposed port redevelopment, so it could fit well into that plan as well! And most importantly, the distance to O'Connell's would only be slightly further!

RonanL wrote: Regarding the swamp, anything "over the river" is a no go in my view.

Also: there's a reason it's called "The Swamp".

Regarding the swamp, anything "over the river" is a no go in my view. Getting people in and out is important. We just about manage it at the moment with the sportsground. I'm torn about whether we should look to leave there or not, but I'm utterly convinced that we need to stay in town. The "distance to O'Connell's" can't change significantly. That's why I'm intrigued by the docks suggestion because it's a combination of good location, with close proximity to the bus/train station. Oh and I think it would need to be realistic. We need a place that will have a good atmosphere with 5000 in it, but room for 10, with scope for further development to bring it to 15.

In terms of what the supporters can do, I think one very simple thing is to buy your season ticket for next year as soon as you can (assuming you can afford to etc etc.). I'm guessing most people on here are existing season ticket holders and have renewed already (the closing date for that has just passed). However, I'm sure there are many others on here who can't make it to every game and buy tickets piecemeal. I'd encourage those to look at their figures and if it's any way close, then just make the leap and buy a season ticket. You can always lend it to friends for the games you don't attend, but I feel if the season ticket numbers swell dramatically enough the Connacht senior management will be in a much stronger position to argue their case for significant funding towards a new/improved facility.

Darragh wrote: Perhaps something down the swamp? Great location. Space is there.

Let's march on the IRFU!!!!

(That was a joke obviously!!)

I think now that this has come out in the media, I suspect that quite a bit of work and positioning is being done in the background. Perhaps they had to show that the demand was starting to outstrip the current ground.

One thing i would dearly love though is for a future stadium to be by the water. It is such a part of Galway.

The docks really would be progressive thinking, but i fear the costs.

I genuinely feel for the Sportsground to work, it would need to be knocked and started from scratch and that is never going to happen.

Perhaps something down the swamp? Great location. Space is there.

Exciting times.

We need a q&a evening with Willie Ruane and Pat Lam!!!!

Pat Lam calls on West to wake up to his Connacht stadium vision

Pat is dead right; there really is no better time for a new stadium to be built for Connacht. If it isn't done now with the 2020 Capital of Culture bid and the Rugby World Cup bid going on, it's hard to see when a better time will come along. Is there any way that we as supporters can help to push this issue? It seems that Pat is definitely pushing for it so it would be great if there was something we could do to get behind his efforts!

Let's get the stadium first, and then work on the training facilities

josephdaly111 wrote: We need to get making a proposal to submit to Galway County Council! Just the small issue of getting the funding now..
The video isn't showing so could you post a link?

Fixed I think!!