THE DEPARTMENT FOR Sport have today allocated €918,750 to the redevelopment of Dalymount Park.
The money has been allocated under the Large Scale Infrastructure Fund, and although state funding toward the Football Association of Ireland remains frozen, the redevelopment of Dalymount Park is a project submitted by Dublin City Council and is thus unaffected.
Bohemians say the grant allows the project to move to its second phase, and the appointing of architects, engineers and a design team to work alongside project managers.
It is planned that Dalymount will be converted into a 6,000-seater stadium to house both Bohemians and Shelbourne, and is set to include a library, flexible community space and meeting rooms, as well as concourse space at ground level which can be utilised for community activities and events on non-matchdays.
The total cost of the project is estimated at €34.3 million, and it is hoped to be completed by 2023. Bohs’ will play their home games at Tolka Park once renovations begin.
The government today announced a total allocation of €5 million to seven major infrastructure projects, which includes the allocation of €837,680 to the Cavan GAA County Board and Cavan County Council to the construction of a new indoor facility along with an outdoor, multisport 3G pitch, GAA pitches and an athletics track.
Today’s announcement follows another last Friday, which promised a total of €77 million to another 25 large-scale projects.
The fund allocated €2 million to the development of a centre of excellence at Glanmire, although this will not be disbursed until the government are satisfied by governance reforms at the FAI.
Elsewhere today, the FAI have confirmed this season’s President’s Cup final will take place between Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park on Sunday, 9 February, kicking off at 3pm.
Should be 12,000 capacity Stadium
@Ao: 6,000 is perfect as long as they future proof it to make it easily explainable up to 10, 15, 20 thousand by leaving enough room to add a second tier around the stadium.
Ideally Shelbourne would get their own stadium on the south side of inner city, but the stadium infrastructure is a crucial step to rebuilding the league of Ireland and attracting crowds, every premier league stadium in the country should have a plan to expand or modernize their facilities and government and local councils should be helping to fund it.
Incredible a national association never helped abut only hindered domestic football in this country.
It’s time we build a domestic league to be proud of.
@Ao: Half-full stadiums ruin the atmosphere that cosier stadiums provide.
Hopefully Finn Harps will get their funding as well.
Why all seater ? Why not have standing included, say behind the goals. Standing areas always create a great atmosphere and if they are set it up as safe standing with the rails like in Parkhead, the safe standing area can converted into a seating area that meets UEFA regulations. No brainer.
There’s never an election on the way…
Some good news for the LoI at last.
Election brewing I believe