SportsGround Developments

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

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

Any upgrading of facilities for this season?

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

Or any recommendations on changes?

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).

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/

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

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.

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.

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?

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.