With the announcment of additional funding coming from the IRFU for the season ahead, thought I'd look see what additional planning applications have been submitted in the course of the last couple of months by the Branch....

www.galwaycity.ie/allservices/planning/o...anningenquirysystem/

• 02/04/2014 - File Number: 1493 - Permission for a ground floor extension to the existing Sports Pavilion Administration facility [Basic Docs at the moment]


• 21/03/2014 - File Number: FS4914 - Extension & material alterations to existing sports pavilion


• 21/03/2014 - File Number: FS5014 - Conversion of roof space to camera/commentary room

There is some talk of certain improvements to the Clan Bar by Connacht Rugby (a floor I think is being discussed).
The Connacht Clan are looking to improve the facilities there as well. We have purchased a PA system! We will be looking for help with the installation once it arrives so if anyone knows how to do this or knows someone who does please tell them to get onto me.

Any upgrading of facilities for this season?

Great stuff !!
Anyideas what will be upgraded or built next?

Brian Walsh TD
I'm pleased to have secured funding of €200,000 for Connacht Rugby under the Regional Sports Capital Programme, which was announced today. This is in addition to €424,000 for the revamp of Galway Sportsground that I announced last year. Well done to everyone involved.

WE know who to vote for next time around. well done brian

it looks exactly how a fan would want it to look! and i suppose that would be a concern in that it looks almost too perfect.
I was looking at the Saracens development at Barnet Copthall Stadium and the connacht stand looks more impressive than what their building atm. They are investing 20 mill sterling in the development and will have a capacity of 10k when complete so that will give some indication of costs for the proposal.
On another but related note, havent they applied to put another tier on to the clubhouse for more admin space. That would mean that club house would have to be attached to the new stand. Having looked at the stand again it could possibly be done if the stairs was moved to where the prefab beside clubhouse is situated now and coming perpendicular to the stand. The road could remain in place in that situation with a limited vehicle height restriction which shouldnt interfere with doggie people or parking.Heres hoping that one of us wins euromillions soon!

rossie wrote: The new proposed stand on clan side looks fab and a much better looking facility than the original proposed stand

The existing clan stand is much bigger than that originally proposed (2000 standing places vs 1300) and the proposed seating looks 2-3 times bigger than the originally planned 6-700.

rossie wrote: The sceptic in me feels that the original proposal is far more likely tho given that this new stand will require the blocking off of the road down to the dog owners parking and kennels which i thought wasnt permitted.

The original proposal is dead and buried as they built a completely different stand last year, but I wondered about blocking the road too, never mind the kennels, there's a whole safety issue and an entire carpark blocked off. Maybe these were just indicative mockups for the city council presentation, and the access would be completely different in reality?

Looked good though, didn't it?

Great to hear temp stand work underway. Main stand side looked a bit bare without the stand from last season. Hopefully it will look something like the architects image which is quite stylish.

The new proposed stand on clan side looks fab and a much better looking facility than the original proposed stand. The sceptic in me feels that the original proposal is far more likely tho given that this new stand will require the blocking off of the road down to the dog owners parking and kennels which i thought wasnt permitted. Its a long term vision of the future of the stadium i know so hopefully a deal can be done in time.
Imo anyway a stand of the size of the proposed Temp one as a permanent structure and one on the gate side of the Doggie stand(also permanent and designed to accomadate B+B concerns) would adequately accomadate our seating needs in the mid term while giving the branch a presence on the doggie side on matchday re bars/catering etc and would prob cost significantly less than the more than impressive alternative.

work is well underway on the new stand in the corner between the main stand and bohermore

I like the look of those two new stands. Excuse me for saying it, but they help make the Sportsground look like a stadium rather than a "Ground"

That new stand looks brilliant.

Hope we can secure funding for it

Temporary Stand also planned in as well down near the Kennels..

That looks fantastic! Looking forward to seeing it in place!

Found this link to new images for the Clan Stand proposal, the second pahase which would buld seating over the existing terrace

www.3dgraphichouse.ie/index.php?page=_vi...ntnt01property_id=80


Phase 2 Clan Stand

Quite a few positives in this Advertiser article from Lindsey, particularly the fact that the corporate side of things is being taken in-house effectively by moving it away from the Doggie Stand to the new units on the Clubhouse side, denying them a cut of our pie.

The main Stand is a Greyhound stand and not suited to Rugby corporate use really, very comfortable and all that but there's a big disconnect from what's going on on the pitch when you sit behind the glass screen. In an ideal world if there was agreement to redevelop the ground a main stand with integrated corporate boxes, office, media facilities and changing rooms and would be built on the Clubhouse side with a longer single tier stand replacing the current main stand.

Ground capacity being increased to 10k another positive, it's a psychological boost having a five figure capacity...

Upgrading the current clan bar so that it is insulated (and looks less like a cattle barn), improving the range of drinking options and adding Screens will likely encourage supporters to delay their departure post match and spend some more shilling.

Sportsground set for new spectator facilities
GALWAY ADVERTISER, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012.

Michael Swift and chef JP McMahon at the launch of the Connacht Rugby Corporate hospitality packages. Photo:-Mike Shaughnessy
By Linley Mackenzie

A new matchday experience is awaiting Connacht Rugby fans when they visit the Sportsground this season.

A new covered terrace, children’s zone, bigger Clan bar for season ticket holders, and a new corporate entertainment area are being planned to ensure the Sportsground caters fully for all fans.

Increasing development on the east side of the pitch, which boasts the Connacht Branch offices, will ensure it becomes Connacht’s “ spiritual home”

Connacht Rugby head of marketing Alex Saul says the changes will ensure the experience is more fan friendly.

“In the past it has been difficult for fans to interact with Connacht Rugby. They could buy a ticket, stand on the terrace, buy a pint, and leave, but our research reveals that we have hugely passionate fans, more likely to act out of their loyalty than Leinster, Munster, or Ulster, but we were not giving them an opportunity.

“It is about improving the experience and bringing more theatre and colour to the Sportsground. The changes have been developed through a fan charter which says that we will deliver on four key areas,” he says.

The new covered terrace in the ground’s northwest corner will create an additional capacity for 1,000 people, while temporary terraces will also be erected and remain until after the Heineken Cup games to increase capacity to 10,000 for the big games.

Also in that area will be a new food and beverage area, which Alex Saul says will provide fans with “premium products which are all produced in the province”.

A new children’s zone, in addition to a special seating in the Clan Terrace, will provide youngsters with interactive activities where they can practise kicking and passing drills and test themselves against professionals, with prizes for the winners.

Across the other side of the ground, the current Clan bar will be extended, in addition to the range of beverages available. The Clan bar will also be fully insulated, boast wide screen televisions, and seating, with music before and after games.

“It really will become a proper supporters’ clubhouse - somewhere the fans can hang out and interact, and also be more comfortable rather than standing in the current shed,” he says.

Importantly for any professional sport, new corporate hospitality will also be available in two luxury permanent hardwall marquees with catering by Cava Restaurant.

Pre and post-match dinners for individuals and companies will be available in the area, also attended by players.

“It is an area in which we have struggled in the past. There are many companies in Connacht and up until now they have had little opportunity to interact with us. Having partnered with Cava and Irish Distillers, this new premium area will cater for the corporate sector.”

Alex Saul says the clubhouse side of the pitch is being prioritised.

‘The greyhound facility is fantastic for their use, but is not necessarily conducive for a rugby environment. We want to make the east side, the clubhouse side, the spiritual home of Connacht Rugby.”

Double in size? Still going to be small, but I like the idea.
I wonder where these corporate seats are going to be? Fancy boxes on top of the Clan Stand

I do like all the ideas they have there though. Might skip O'Connells tomorrow, and go straight up to the Clan Bar