Sportsground gets additional funding from Government
By Connacht Rugby
August 28 2011
Further funding for The Sportsground as Government commits over €420,000 for regeneration works.
CEO of Connacht Rugby Gerry Kelly today confirmed that the government will be injecting over €420,000 of additional capital into the Sportsground for the coming season.
“We have had extensive talks with Minister of State for Sport Michael Ring about the redevelopment of the Sportsground and he has sanctioned this injection of funding to further enhance the grounds and facilities.”
“We are delighted because this shows that Connacht Rugby are a valuable asset to the area not just in sporting terms but also to tourism. With the Heineken Cup coming to here for the first time we expect to see a large increase in visitors not only to Galway city but to the rest of the Province and with viewers watching Europe’s highest profile rugby competitions across the world it is a great opportunity for us to showcase the West of Ireland as an attractive destination.”
“I’d like to pay huge thanks to Minister Ring and to our local Fine Gael TD Brian Walsh for their enthusiasm and hard work in sourcing this funding.”
The funds are in addition monies already supplied by the IRFU and will go towards improving existing facilities and creating new structures to bring the College Road venue up to the same standard as the other Provinces and will ensure the comfort of supporters in what has been traditionally been an inhospitable stadium for visiting teams and fans alike.
“We will be using the funds in addition to the capital supplied by the IRFU to invest in the Sportsground to help make the venue as attractive as possible to our supporters. Fans and Season Ticket holders are the lifeblood of every rugby club and we are no different so we want to make the matchday experience here as entertaining and comfortable as possible. Minister Ring has been instrumental in sourcing this capital and we are confident that with the improvements we are making there will be a sustainable club here drawing supporters and tourists to Connacht for many years to come”
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Sunday, 28 August 2011 11:55
Minster of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring has awarded a special grant of €424,000 to Connacht Rugby to finish vital refurbishment works at its Galway Stadium and bring it up to Heineken Cup standards.
Minister Ring confirmed on Sunday that the once-off grant has been awarded to allow Connacht to host home games in the 2011-2012 Heineken Cup.
The funding will be used to increase capacity, provide new terrace space, improve pedestrian access and provide extra toilet facilities.
"I am very pleased to announce this funding, which will make a real difference to the game of rugby in Connacht. It's great to know that Connacht will be able to compete in the Heineken Cup on their own turf," Minister Ring said.
"Qualifying for the Heineken Cup was one of the most significant events ever for Connacht. Their season ticket sales have soared since then, and attendance numbers are expected to go through the roof.
"So it's vital that Connacht have a stadium which can accommodate larger crowds, which they can all be proud of, and which allows them to develop as a team."
Work has already started on upgrading the grounds to Heineken Cup standard, but this grant will allow the job to be finished. The investment will be a legacy for the future, and will benefit the senior team, as well as all the teams who play there.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2011/0828/connacht.html
Whats the story with this new terrace is it literally placing a roof over peoples heads and the same capacity or is there more to it then that ?
I was wondering where the spondulix was coming from for the works on the ground.
I see the future, and it's Green again...
I see the future, and it's Green again...
Its amazing how some people are nit-picking now over small grants yet were silent for so long over large multiples of this which are gone and would have not future potential return
Quote:Dún an Óir
Brilliant news
Whats the story with this new terrace is it literally placing a roof over peoples heads and the same capacity or is there more to it then that ?
Iwas in for a look on friday, as far as i can tell it will have 11 or 12 "steps" as opposed to the 6 that were there.
Looks great!!
Quote:RonanL
Word on the street is the stand might not be finished for our opening game. I don't think that's a massive deal - having the ground redeveloped over the summer was always ambitious, and with the additional funding I think they might be doing a little more work than originally planned. Drove along college road yesterday and it looks great - very excited to see the finished article.
No it's not a big deal I feel, ideally it should be completed for the onset of the HEC that would be the focus.
I see the future, and it's Green again...