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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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Sportsground gets addittional funding from Government
Discussion started by Connacht Rugby Supporters (IP Logged), 28/08/2011 23:28
Connacht Rugby Supporters
Connacht Rugby Supporters
28/08/2011 23:28
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MESSAGES->author
confan1
28/08/2011 13:00
Connacht awarded refurbishment grant
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


http://img.rasset.ie/0004ed4510dr.jpg

Dún an Óir

28/08/2011 14:51
Brilliant news (Sm128)

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 ?

conjob
conjob
28/08/2011 15:34
Nice, now is there any way we could decide that the new stand is a virtual stand and spend the money on a second row.

I was wondering where the spondulix was coming from for the works on the ground.

MESSAGES->author
Sea_point
28/08/2011 16:53
Vast majority will come in the form of Grants I would expect, then donations. I presume we are registered as a charity as we are a non-profit org and as such donations are tax exempt....

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I see the future, and it's Green again...http://www.planetrugby.com/Images/PlanetRugby/Team/64x64/b_33132.png

Moss973
Moss973
28/08/2011 18:45
This small grant is drawing some attention, most of it negative and begrudging, on another non sport forum.

Here

choco_ajm
choco_ajm
28/08/2011 19:43
some moaning goin on there

porterbelly
porterbelly
28/08/2011 19:46
In a way I can see the point, hard times and all and giving out the grant. However, it is pure necessity for us and will end up paying for itself through attendances etc. We needed it one way or another, the IRFU don't want to help us so we're very lucky to get it. Very grateful

MESSAGES->author
Sea_point
28/08/2011 21:34
Ah b*ll*x to them, sure if it was going to building a bloody hospital in one country and not another you'd still get some professional moaners having a go.....

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I see the future, and it's Green again...http://www.planetrugby.com/Images/PlanetRugby/Team/64x64/b_33132.png

Greenwithenvy
Greenwithenvy
28/08/2011 21:43
It's great news. If the IRFU won't support our development they now face the embarrassment of seeing the government doing so. The city and region is going to benefit from the (hopefully) increased attendances at games so it's a pragmatic decision on behalf of the government by Mr Ring. Maybe the IRFU will eventually follow suit.

The IMF
The IMF
28/08/2011 21:54
Lads seriously why has no one told me about the prawn sandwiches at the SG before!!!

Borders no.2
Borders no.2
28/08/2011 21:59
It makes sense. It will help ensure supporters can enjoy Connacht games in surroundings suitable to a professional side. This in turn will increase regular attendances meaning Connacht will become more self-sufficient, these supporters will head in to town after a game (as they will be dry and not need to go home and have a shower as they are soaked to the bone) etc. Its a very small price to pay.

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

istabraq
istabraq
28/08/2011 22:25
Guys I see a couple of people above complaining about the IRFU. As far as I am aware they too have provided €450,000 towards the redevelopment. Granted they may have screwed us in the past, but I'll take that money with open arms any day. Onwards and upwards guys. Let's not feel sorry for ourselves anymore things are coming together in a big way.

LDTT
LDTT
28/08/2011 22:26
Great news. Kudos to the staff who were behind this one. Well done.

packie
packie
29/08/2011 07:14
Quote:
Dún an Óir
Brilliant news (Sm128)
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!!

jbrowne
jbrowne
29/08/2011 09:19
F*cking Sweet! Can't wait to see it finished!!

ummm,
ummm,
29/08/2011 10:58
So we're all elite snobs now? I didn't realise.

al omaniya
al omaniya
29/08/2011 12:06
Good to see a FG led government with strong Western representation (Kenny and Ring) showing such commitment.

RonanL
RonanL
30/08/2011 12:38
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.

MESSAGES->author
Sea_point
30/08/2011 13:02
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.

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I see the future, and it's Green again...http://www.planetrugby.com/Images/PlanetRugby/Team/64x64/b_33132.png

lgwt@castlebar
lgwt@castlebar
31/08/2011 11:19
Some of it will be open for the first home game but not all. The remaining end will be done in a few short weeks though.

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