Ground improvements

[niall_hearty2000]

It might be an artist's impression but it looks horrendous. Why have we a smaller stand beside main stand which is totally separate from the main stand? Could we not extend the stand the entire length of the pitch for starters?

[oldfogey]

It might be an artist's impression but it looks horrendous. Why have we a smaller stand beside main stand which is totally separate from the main stand? Could we not extend the stand the entire length of the pitch for starters?

It's an artists impression so it's not supposed to bear any relation what is practical or makes sense. None of it is true to the current layout or scale.

[Oriel O'Shea]

A goal in place, which is a good starting point. We have also caught up with local soccer clubs by applying for the Sports grant for the floodlights and pitch replacement, I think the Rock got their maximum amount a year back. This is encouraging and points to an actual outcome of covering some of the costings for new floodlights/pitch. Well done, its about time, never understood why Peak 6 didn't go down this road before and sort the lights at least. Hopefully we secure the maximum amount.

But the drawing of the stadium, until there is actual plans or designs, details on costings, land ownership issue talked about, funding laid out and current owners intentions are clear, then there is nothing concrete in that article other then a pipe dream drawing.

Also, no owner or club director on the group seems strange, as well as the lack of information around next steps. If we do secure funding for pitch/floodlights, will the owners pick up the rest of the tab or do we need to start fundraising?

Does anyone know if a new pitch is required by FAI, is the current pitch passed the sell by date?

[Towelie]

Think the designs are a step in the right direction for sure, important to have a thorough read of the full article where they say that the full redevelopment of Oriel will be on a phase by phase basis.

Also interesting to note that AllSport did the concept designs so you'd imagine that's the main group that they've met up with so far. Here's a link to some of the work they've done for Salford City.


https://twitter.com/AllsportF/status/16 ... 0kEbw&s=19

[Johnnybegood33]

The main stand should be extended the length of the pitch . That is a No Brainer . Restaurant facilities etc . underneath . Cover terracing length of pitch far side . Replace pitch , grass preferable but top of the range synthetic if a better option , & floodlights up to standard . The bulldozers should be ready to move in after last home match . My last post for 23 , looking forward to the long awaited improvements for 2024 , 50 years in waiting . Cmon The Town . 😊

[Gearóid Bellew]

Positive sounding news and it's great to see some sort of framework.

There are a few interesting bits in the wording of both the press release and the LAP submission, such as redevelopment Oriel being the preferred route due to:

"the availability of adequate space for redevelopment"

and in the LAP submission:

"It would be Dundalk F.C.s preference to have these new pitches in the vicinity of Oriel Park on
the Carrick Road to maximise the use of our existing facilities and to add to them to allow us to
provide top quality training and playing facilities for Dundalk F.C. and our partners"

With the land at Joes park on sale recently has there been a move to attempt to secure it, you would imagine it would be necessary to to any expansion plan.

I also note that phase 5 is the replacement of the main stand, so it would seem more likely that there would be a cohesive new stand rather than parts added on either side, considering that this phase includes changing rooms etc I would imagine it may be easier as part of a whole new stand rather than a piecemeal redevelopment and adaptation of the existing structure.

Side thoughts, I would have preferred to see a grass pitch rather than another artificial surface, hopefully this remains a future goal as stated.

[Philistine]

Some people here looking for Wembley ffs. Think the plan looks great, and is actually practical/feasible. We don't need anything more than a 6k seater.

[seand]

I don't think the club should have released the fairly half-arsed drawings when they are part of a much later phase that's not even planned out yet, but it's great to see we're finally getting out act together and talking to the council etc. Applying for grants shows commitment and organisation which seems to have been lacking in recent decades.

It's the start of a long, painfully slow journey though. The new artificial pitch and floodlight upgrade will presumably and hopefully happen some time in 2024, then we can move on to modest ground improvements. It's going to take years and years to make significant progress. But we're finally moving in the right direction, fair play to those involved.

[TrevDaRev2]

I don't think the club should have released the fairly half-arsed drawings when they are part of a much later phase that's not even planned out yet, but it's great to see we're finally getting out act together and talking to the council etc. Applying for grants shows commitment and organisation which seems to have been lacking in recent decades.

It's the start of a long, painfully slow journey though. The new artificial pitch and floodlight upgrade will presumably and hopefully happen some time in 2024, then we can move on to modest ground improvements. It's going to take years and years to make significant progress. But we're finally moving in the right direction, fair play to those involved.

Ye i have to agree it's a statement of intent but not a lot more than that. In the decades that Im supportin the club I've learned nothing is done until its done and only then will i be welcoming anything. Hopefully this is the beginning of a proper plan but if this is the plan then were going nowhere fast. Indication i get from it is floodlights and pitch will still be in place for 2024 and maybe beyond. Other than that everything else is aspiration with no costings, and we need costed plans for Louth County Council, FAI or Government to take us seriously

[dundalkfc1903]

I would like to see the numbers around the pitch , grass Vs synthetic. I would hate another synthetic surface to go down, and I think fans would really get behind a grass pitch fundraiser

[Goliath]

I would like to see the numbers around the pitch , grass Vs synthetic. I would hate another synthetic surface to go down, and I think fans would really get behind a grass pitch fundraiser

Yes a grass pitch would be ideal but you would then need to hire out or buy an artificial pitch to accommodate the academy teams which I can't see happening.

[Hull White]

Why not lift the artificial pitch and lay it at Joe’s Park for the academy lads and other clubs who would hire it. Lay a grass pitch in Oriel and train at Joe’s Park or is that too simple? Good to see that a process has finally started even though the artists impression is awful.

[Gearóid Bellew]

I don't think the artists impression is desperate myself.

If we woke up in the morning and it looked like that I don't think too many people would complain.

Seeing as they reference modular stands behind both goals and phased development it may be a case that we end up with something like those two buildings either side of the main stand with it being refurbished but still remaining largely as is.

[Hull White]

I agree Gearoid that anything is preferable to the current situation but we will probably only get one chance at this so should try and make it look like a football ground as much as possible.

[mike]

Folks, cast your minds back to 2016, the League Cup Final v Rovers in Sept, and last league game v Cork City, remember how brilliant even the open temp seating looked at carrick road goals.

Point being, anything will improve the old girl that is oriel.

One thing that worries me, are Louth GAA not in for funding also from Sports Capital Grant, (SCG) or is their funding via a diff source?

Another thing, Finn H new ground, they have got a lot of cash and it will take a lot more, so that's just two examples, the SCG pot is obviously not endless in cash reserves but if funded by Irish Govt, they will end 2023 with a massive surplus of 10B +, but again a lot of projects and rainy day funds to take care of. That said oriel is not a brand new build like those two examples.