www.skodaxanthifc.gr/?q=el/node/1677
Something like this would suit us.

It would be interesting to understand what the overall 5 year plan is for Connacht Rugby at this point in time.

I would also support a move away from the Sportsground. Nobody seems to really like it there and a bespoke stadium, designed with atmosphere and modern facilities in mind, would do very well in Galway I would think.

Ravenhill has been brought up to modern expectations.
Same for Thomand and Musgrave (Although I feel Musgrave was a pointless investment)
RDS is due a big overhaul in the next few years.

I would be very surprised if something strategic is not front and centre for Willie Ruane.

The docklands initiative may represent the the most exciting opportunity. What a location and a stroll to town!

menacethedenis wrote: As far as I'm concerned they should level the whole place except for the Clan Terrace, offices & gym and start again. Get rid of the dogs or pay them to leave (very unlikely but greyhound racing in Ireland is massively indebted and only exists as it is heavily subsidised by the government), move the pitch closer to the Clan, new seated main stand and proper terracing at the ends. Maybe just a pipe dream but If Ireland gets the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and Connacht doesn't see, at the very least, some major stadium improvements out of it then we'll know exactly what the IRFU thinks of us.

Really the best solution for Connacht (and it would probably never happen) is for a purpose built stadium 10-15k Capacity (something like Kielce City Stadium in Poland or Sør Arena in Kristiansand, Norway the latter is more relative in terms of location and climate ) to be built as part of the Galway Docklands redevelopment, and move out of the Sportsground entirely. (There's a bunch more small stadium p*rn here to tittilate yourselves with too :woohoo: - www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=834888 )

The Sportsground for all the history is very much a halfway house due to the involvement of the dogs and will never provide maximum return on any investment, e.g. the Dog's own the main stand for example and any turnover form there...

Ideally a 3G Pitch solution so that it's of use to the whole community for as much of the year as possible, even a joint venture with the Galway FA would make sense, I know they've invested a lot of time and money into developing Terryland, but the seasons of their respective senior teams dovetail well. The other benefit of being in Docklands would be that the current plan has a train terminus there, which would mean the potential of Matchday Specials being a possibility..

Basically for me if Connacht isn't seen as worth the investment in a decent stadium, then what is the point? Really the major issue in terms of getting funding is the Sportsground being owned by a third party, so let's move away. Even the IRFU (having picked up the cheques on the white elephant in LImerick) must be able to see the long term benefit of having a bespoke Rugby stadium in the heart of Galway.Even the land itself will always accumulate some value..

As far as I know, the Dogs are stopping any proper development.
Ideally Connacht will stay in the Sportsground, but I think they will need to move in order to get proper facilities.

While the location is dreadful, I think ground sharing with Galway United might be the best move.
Obviously a lot work would be required in terms of parking, and the roads around there, but there is plenty of land to the west of Terryland. At least there, the conditions (wind) aren't as bad as they are in the Sportsground, and down by the docks (another area mentioned for potential development).

So, but the field directly west of Terryland. Move, and improve the road. Increase the size of the pitch.
Open a nice bar down there.
Connacht can keep their offices and training ground at the Sportsground if required

As far as I'm concerned they should level the whole place except for the Clan Terrace, offices & gym and start again. Get rid of the dogs or pay them to leave (very unlikely but greyhound racing in Ireland is massively indebted and only exists as it is heavily subsidised by the government), move the pitch closer to the Clan, new seated main stand and proper terracing at the ends. Maybe just a pipe dream but If Ireland gets the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and Connacht doesn't see, at the very least, some major stadium improvements out of it then we'll know exactly what the IRFU thinks of us.

rossie wrote:

Evil_g wrote: I think the clan is designed so that a seated second tier can be built onto it. Seats on the bottom level would be too low I'd say.

If we qualify for the Champions Cup I think that would be a reasonable investment without over stretching ourselves.

There is planning permission, or at least plans, for a top tier. The drawings were on here at one stage. That's a long time ago though and no mention since. I personally think it would be miserable up there though in the cold , wind and rain. I agree that a covered seated stand is badly needed though. I wonder if there is enough room to build a new stadium on the site of the back pitch and carpark inclusive?

These were the drawings drawn up by Steve Cunningham's practice..

www.3dgraphichouse.ie/indexd764.html?pag...ntnt01property_id=80

I would agree with this. I brought my dad who is well into his seventies to the scarletts game and I upgraded our season tickets to get him into the enclosed main stand. It's the only way I can get him to a match now as he can't stand for a couple of hours, especially in the bitter cold. The sheltered seated stand was great last year but its gone now. You are on to something here.

Evil_g wrote: I think the clan is designed so that a seated second tier can be built onto it. Seats on the bottom level would be too low I'd say.

If we qualify for the Champions Cup I think that would be a reasonable investment without over stretching ourselves.

There is planning permission, or at least plans, for a top tier. The drawings were on here at one stage. That's a long time ago though and no mention since. I personally think it would be miserable up there though in the cold , wind and rain. I agree that a covered seated stand is badly needed though. I wonder if there is enough room to build a new stadium on the site of the back pitch and carpark inclusive?

Agree Agree Agree

It would be great if they had an area like that. Get the kids going to games at an early age. A few kids days when the weather is good enough. Its all about appealing to as many people as possible.

I think the clan is designed so that a seated second tier can be built onto it. Seats on the bottom level would be too low I'd say.

If we qualify for the Champions Cup I think that would be a reasonable investment without over stretching ourselves.

Something I've seen pop up more and more often with regards to the Sportsground, is that there is no sitting area for families with kids, or elderly people.
It seems to be stopping some people from attending.
I wonder if the branch are aware of it, and if they have any plans to do something.
The easiest option I can think of, is to turn one small section in the Clan Stand, into an area with seats.
Different tickets for people who want to sit there. Would only need approx 100 seats for a trial run.
Whatever gets more people in the door is good by me.
I still want to keep standing in the Clan though

CEO Willie Ruane was talking to city councillors

“But you’re hampered by the Sportsground as your home. Is there anywhere on the outskirts or inner city that can be developed?” he asked.

Mr Ruane responded: “It’s something we are looking at right now. We have formed a new facilities working group to understand our needs and in terms of a stadium to ensure we fulfil our commercial ambitions and for fans for the match day experience

Some not so veiled jabs at the SportsGround and the Dogs.

connachttribune.ie/connacht-rugby-set-to...new-home-option-301/

Has the be the next item on the development agenda alright. It's not good enough to ask the same price for an evening standing in the rain.

Some sort of temporary cover behind the goals particularly on winter evenings. Something that would be easy to put up and take down in time for the dogs. You can't expect people to spend €23-33 to get soaked on a wet windy winter night. I have had this discussion with a number of people I know who have gone to a couple of matches and enjoyed the fare on show but would be reluctant to go back particularly on a bad evening.

We have got the crowd levels up to a decent level now but if we want to advance we need to be doing all we can to make the experience better for supporters coming to the Sportsground or risk losing them.

We have seen what a difference the Clan Stand has made. There were evenings a few years ago when you'd have a few hundred die hards if the evening was bad as there was no shelter on the far side and little on the greyhound side. Now you'll get a good crowd no matter what the weather (within reason).

So anyone know of any potential changes to our beloved ground before the new season?

Or any recommendations on changes?