New Stadium

Underwhelmed.ie

Stakeknife84 wrote: Shame they aren't doing anything about the ends. I can't see anybody wishing to stand in the driving rain come winter time.

The new Main Stand looks it will replace the Clan Stand as I understand it and will probably take up the heft of the new 12,000 capacity.

Good news in general. Long overdue. Let's just hope they build it.

Couldn't build behind posts with dogs staying but being realistic if we have 10,000 in the two stands, how often will anyone be standing there anyways.

Plans look great, having an indoor training pitch will be fantastic for the wet and cold training days. Fantastic for under age too.

I'd imagine that NUIG and The boys Club will there in there too, and the boys club will play on the all weather pitch

But are we going to be able to charge our phones?

Reserving judgement till I see the terraces in the new stand. Hate sitting at matches, hate the main stand.

No time schedule.. 2020? 2021?

ThisYearWillBeDifferent wrote: Reserving judgement till I see the terraces in the new stand. Hate sitting at matches, hate the main stand.

Delighted to be staying at the Sportsground though.

overstrander wrote: Underwhelmed.ie

With the dogs staying I think the current proposal is excellent: put in one top drawer stand whilst spending as little as possible on any dog infrastructure.

Greyhound racing is, thankfully, dying a death in Ireland. When the time comes and they can be booted out altogether we can develop either end with some proper covered terracing.

Great news for a Monday

I think this looks ideal, all things considered. I've always thought the city center location was key, so I'm delighted they have decided to stay in the sportsground. Hopefully the planning process doesn't take an eternity. I was encouraged to hear they have already been in consultation with local residents, so hopefully nobody digs their heals in too much. When they do get the all clear, I wonder what the logistics will be? I think the Dragons managed to redevelop Rodney parade without having to play elsewhere, but if they do have to move, maybe they'd use Terryland?

How do people feel about the prospect of playing on a synthetic pitch? For some reason it saddens me a little, but considering our brand of rugby, maybe it's for the better? They had no choice really once they decided to build on the training pitch.

Would a synthetic pitch mean they could train on it during the week?

That hadn't occured to me. It would surely be a big advantage.

I can't see anything about a synthetic (or any type) of pitch in the article on the Connacht site. Some of the reportage mentions an all-weather pitch which is not the same as synthetic.

Dragons have just installed what they call a "hybrid" pitch, which is really just a grass pitch which has plastic fibres woven through the sod to strengthen the sod, improve drainage, and lessen compaction. For a long period Croke Park had such a system but they have since reverted to traditional sod.

ThisYearWillBeDifferent wrote: Reserving judgement till I see the terraces in the new stand. Hate sitting at matches, hate the main stand.

Agree, nothing more frustrating than having to sit. Hopefully the planning and design team will be people who actually go to matches and understand supporters needs. A mix of seating to the back and terraces to the front (as Kingspan and Thomand have) would be great. We can expect a new catagory of Season Tickets, with no doubt higher prices, to cater for the potential grading of sections, seats etc and possibly 10 year deals . The last thing we want is to price out families and the ordinary wage earner.As for catering to families, having carried my kids in at various stages over 20 years, a family section is a must. Now I'd be happy to stay in a terrace, in "my spot", and have a seated section to the back.When the time comes for me needing a zimmer frame I'll get a seat.... Which brings is a main sponsor idea for naming rights....

BeardySi wrote: It looks like temporary terraces are depicted at the pitch ends but given the increased capacity I can't see them being needed except for the most in demand matches.

I hope in any games, even if main stands aren't sold out, tickets will be sent behind the posts. It's important for atmosphere and visual outcome to have people all auroud the stadium. + It allows lower prices for students and so on.

So when the contruction starts what happens? We move to a temp ground?

theCulk wrote: So when the contruction starts what happens? We move to a temp ground?

Fingers crossed we can stay in the Sportsground and work takes place around us.

I'd be very interested in attending the public consultation. Would be great if someone from the Clan could reach out to the branch, and send through a list of questions that we have. As much as the improvements are important to the team, and the City, the fans need to be allowed ask questions too

We would need to add another 10 players to our squad if they go with a 4G pitch.

www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/staggerin...d-to-grass-1.3641369

Hopefully, they will go with a hybrid of some kind.